The American operation off the coast of Venezuela is called "Southern Spear". The military units are led by an aircraft carrier, which - according to American media - served as a platform for the seizure of the oil tanker "Skipper", loaded with about one million barrels of crude oil from Venezuela.
Will other such actions follow soon? White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt remained silent on the issue: "I will not announce any future measures of the government. But I emphasize that the Trump administration is implementing the president's sanctions policy.".
The tanker "Skipper" is part of a shadowy fleet that also provides crude oil to Iran. The vessel is under US sanctions. But there are doubts that its seizure is in accordance with international law, notes ARD.
Economic interests are at the forefront
After numerous attacks on suspected drug boats from Venezuela, the US government is now increasing pressure on the socialist dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro - looking at the most important source of income, writes the German public media. According to former US diplomat Richard Haas, this corresponds to the priorities in the new National Security Strategy.
"This is sending a signal to the world that we in the Western Hemisphere - I will use a diplomatic formulation - will act very independently, even critics may use the word "with impunity", to achieve goals that serve our interests," Haas told NPR radio. According to him, in this case there is an interest in regime change in Venezuela. President Trump pursued this goal during his first term, imposing sanctions, ARD recalls.
The former diplomat explains why, in his opinion, Maduro and his team should go. "The main reason is that the United States wants Venezuela's oil reserves. They are the largest in the world." However, Venezuela currently produces almost nothing, only one million barrels a day, the former diplomat notes.
"They can produce much more. This American government, which prioritizes economic interests, would like Venezuela to have a government that allows American companies in the country." Currently, only the American energy concern "Chevron" is active in Venezuela's oil sector, unaffected by Trump's anti-Maduro policies.
Will attacks on the country follow?
Roxana Vigil of the Washington think tank Council on Foreign Relations doubts that it is primarily about oil. "Venezuela's oil sector has been in decline for more than a decade, largely due to government mismanagement, corruption and lack of investment."
Reviving production will take many years and will consume a lot of money, Vigil points out. But the expert does not rule out further escalation by the United States. "The president has repeatedly said that attacks on targets in the country will follow. And that should be taken as a serious threat."
Trump's spokeswoman is reassuring. When asked by a journalist whether the government would risk a longer war through military strikes, she replied: "A longer war is definitely not something the president wants - he wants peace".
Author: Carsten Küntop (ARD)