On Monday’s broadcast of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) asserted that there is a legal basis to detain and board some oil tankers in Venezuela, but that is “besides the point.” And “we could cut off funding for” these types of operations.
Smith said: “There is a legal basis for it… if you are one of these vessels, if you fly under a false flag or no flag, and if you are involved in illegal activities. This happens all over the world. The dark fleet that you referred to earlier, no one operates more dark fleet vessels than Russia, for example. So this happens frequently. And there is a legal basis for boarding, detaining and inspecting. It’s a lot murkier if you get into the issue of asset seizure.”
He continued: “But the legal basis is beside the point. The reason these are being attacked among at least dozens, if not more, of these vessels operating around the world is because the president wants to oust Maduro from power. This is about regime change and the conflict with Venezuela, much more than trying to enforce international laws against false flag or dark fleet vessels.”
Later, in response to a question about cutting off funding for the anti-Venezuela campaign, Smith said, “We could cut off funding for this type of operation, a lot of things we could do, if Republicans decide that their political beliefs are greater than their fear, their political fear, of Donald Trump. And we’re not there yet at this point. We have to keep pushing.”
Continue Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett
