The first of five tankers loaded with gasoline sent from Iran approached Venezuelan waters late Saturday, expected to temporarily ease the South American nation's fuel crunch while defying Trump administration sanctions targeting the two U.S. foes.
The oil tanker Fortune encountered no immediate signs of U.S. interference as it eased through Caribbean waters toward the Venezuelan coast and Venezuelan officials celebrated the arrival.
Venezuela sits atop the world's largest oil reserves, but it must import gasoline because production has crashed in the last two decades. Critics blame corruption and mismanagement by the socialist administration amid an economic crisis that has led to huge migration by Venezuelans seeking to escape poverty, shortages of basic goods and crime.
The U.S. accuses Iran and other nations of propping up Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. It's among nearly 60 nations that back opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate president, contending that Maduro illegitimately won a 2018 election that banned his most popular opponents. U.S. officials had announced no plans to try to intercept Iran's tankers. However, the Trump administration has increased pressure on Maduro, recently offered a $15 million bounty for his arrest after a U.S. court indicted him as a narcotrafficker.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Iranian fuel tankers approach Venezuelan waters despite U.S. warningVenezuela’s defense minister had pledged that the military would escort the tankers once they reached the country’s exclusive economic zone
Read more »
U.S. accuses China of blocking resumption of U.S. flights, demands flight schedules from Chinese air carriersU.S. accuses China of blocking resumption of U.S. flights, demands flight schedules from Chinese air carriers GlobeBusiness
Read more »
Cross-border business interests call for joint Canada, U.S. post-COVID effortA prominent cross-border lobby group wants Canada and the United States to join forces for an integrated North American approach to the new post-pandemic global economy.
Read more »
Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing politicians claim controversial national security law good for businessHong Kong’s pro-Beijing politicians claim controversial national security law good for business GlobeBusiness
Read more »
COVID-19 quarantine fatigue: The arrival of summer will test our resolve to social distanceHumans are social animals. We seek physical closeness and, in the response to a collective threat, we reach out for even more
Read more »