Robbers Raid Tanker in Second Attack
Armed robbers boarded an anchored tanker at the Jose Terminal Anchorage on March 28, according to IMB Piracy Reporting Centre. Five robbers armed with knives and a pipe wrench tied up the aft watch keeper. They broke into the ship’s paint store.
Once the alarm was raised and crew mustered, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s stores. This is the second robber attack on commercial ships at the anchorage within seven days.
The first one occured on March 21 when three robbers board a crude oil tanker. The perpetrators threatened a crew member with a knife and stole his radio before escaping.
Oil Output Down by Half
(Bloomberg) — Power failures that plunged Venezuela into darkness for much of March also briefly slashed the country’s crude production by half.
Rolling blackouts since March 7 paralyzed most of the country’s oil wells and rigs, slowly returning online. Oil output averaged under 600,000 barrels a day during blackouts. For the full month, daily production was 890,000 barrels.
Loss of production due to blackouts deals another blow to a crippled oil industry, already reeling from years of mismanagement and U.S. sanctions that removed its biggest customer. Crude output, one of the few sources of cash for the regime,tumbled by two-thirds since before PDVSA workers went on strike in December 2002.
Near the Orinoco basin in the East, where four out of every five barrels is pumped, heavy oil clogs pipelines and tanks after the heating system lost power, according to a former PDVSA director and president of the United Workers Federation of Oil, Gas and Related Derivatives of Venezuela. Cleaning or removing the pipes could take months. Damage caused by blackouts at the Orinoco Belt oil fields is substantial. Because of the blow to Orinoco Belt production, a huge drop will be reflected in March figures Venezuela will report to OPEC. During blackouts, production was down to a level similar to January 2003 reported production to OPEC, which plunged after the PDVSA strike against then-president Chavez. The Orinoco Belt has not recovered fully from the electricity blow and is currently producing about 300,000 barrels a day.
While pumping oil from fields requires some electricity, the bigger power demand comes from upgraders — facilities that convert the extra-heavy oil to more commercial blends — located 300 kilometers away in the north near the coast. The four upgraders are still working to restart. If PDVSA restores power at full to all its four upgraders, jointly owned by Chevron, Total, Equinor and Rosneft, it can have an impact on the national grid.
Upgraders will only have total power once the state utility allows it. The flow of electricity from the national grid needs to be stabilized before it can return power to other high-demand services such as the water pumping system in Caracas. In the fields, oil wells and pumps are expected to be connected under a government power rationing plan that is in effect.
US Sanctions
(Bloomberg) — The U.S. Treasury Department said the companies — linked to the delivery of oil during February and March aboard the tanker Despina Andrianna — are owner Ballito Bay Shipping Inc., based in Liberia and operator ProPer In Management Inc., based in Athens,.
Sanctions show how the oil industry provides a “lifeline” to Venezuela’s government, led by autocrat Maduro, under pressure from the U.S. to step down. The U.S. recognizes opposition chief Juan Guaido as the nation’s interim president.
“We are taking action against a vital source of the regime’s wealth,” V.P. Mike Pence said. The U.S. also identified as “blocked property” 34 ships that belong to the SOC PDVSA.
The U.S. blacklisted two shipping firms and a number of vessels, including one Greek tanker.
The two companies are the Liberia-based Ballito Bay Shipping and Greek ProPer In Management, respectively the registered owner and the operator of the blacklisted tanker.
The Liberia-flagged 71,600 dwt crude oil tanker Despina Andrianna was delivering crude oil from Venezuela to Cuba during February and March of 2019 in violation of American sanctions.
“Cuba has been an underlying force fueling Venezuela’s descent into crisis. Treasury is taking action against vessels and entities transporting oil, providing a lifeline to keep the illegitimate Maduro regime afloat,” Steven T. Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary, said.
“Cuba continues to profit from, and prop up, the illegitimate Maduro regime through oil-for-repression schemes as they attempt to keep Maduro in power. The United States remains committed to a transition to democracy in Venezuela and to holding the Cuban regime accountable for its direct involvement in Venezuela’s demise.”
Venezuela accuses U.S. of laying groundwork for invasion
The U.S. continues to take action against the regime of former President Maduro, not only to isolate corrupt Venezuelan enterprises, but also to target Maduro supporters in Havana who continue to enable the oppression of the people of Venezuela.
U.S. tells UN Administration will restore democracy
The Associated Press ·
U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence told the United Nations Security Council that the Trump administration is determined to restore democracy to Venezuela, preferably through diplomatic and economic pressure, but that “all options are on the table” — and Russia and others need to step aside.
Venezuela’s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada said the country is threatened with war by the Trump administration, “and the ground is being laid for an invasion.” He told the council: “We must stop this war of Donald Trump.“
The United States called an emergency meeting of the UN’s most powerful body, which is divided over Venezuela, to focus on the worsening humanitarian situation in Venezuela. As with previous meetings, this was dominated by U.S. efforts to oust Maduro and install National Assembly speaker Juan Guaido as the country’s leader. Pence urged the United Nations to recognize Guaido and revoke Moncada’s credentials as the Maduro government representative. The United States will circulate a resolution to do this and also stand with the Venezuelan people “as they rise up … against intimidation and violence,” and for freedom.
Moncada was also seated at the Security Council table. Pence said: “With all due respect Mr. Ambassador, you shouldn’t be here. You should return to Venezuela and tell Nicolas Maduro that his time is up. It’s time for him to go.”
Pence left immediately after he spoke and didn’t hear Moncada say later: “My legitimacy depends on the legitimacy of my government as recognized by the United Nations. It is not dependent on the declarations of … the vice-president of the United States. There is a clear move here to undermine our rights,” Moncada said, “and if they can undermine our rights, they can undermine the rights of all members of this organization, so we must categorically reject this.”
Maduro said later on television that Pence “made a fool of himself” at the council, calling his remarks “ridiculous.” “They think they’re superior to Venezuelans. And they think they can give orders to Venezuela. It’s truly visible in the face of Mike Pence… hate, racism, contempt with which he refers to Venezuela.“
The United States needs strong support in the 193-member General Assembly to change Venezuela’s credentials from the Maduro government to Guaido. With only 54 countries supporting Guaido as interim president, it faces an uphill struggle.
Asked what made the U.S. think it has support to give Guaido UN recognition, Pence said, “I think momentum is on the side of freedom — momentum is on the side of the suffering people of Venezuela.”
Vassily Nebenzia, UN Ambassador of Russia’ which supports Maduro, called the council meeting just “another episode of a tragedy with several acts in the attempt to change regime in Venezuela.” The U.S. “has artificially provoked a crisis in this country in order to overthrow a legitimately elected leader and replace him with their own pawn.” Nebenzia said there are many examples of the U.S. overthrowing Latin American leaders. He asked Venezuela’s neighbours, who support Guaido: “Don’t you understand that Venezuela is merely a bargaining chip in the geopolitical and geostrategic struggle for influence in the region and the world? We call on the United States to recognize that the Venezuelan people and other people have the right to determine their future. If you want to make America great again, and we’re all sincerely interested in seeing that, stop interfering in the affairs of other states. You will only gain respect from that, You don’t like when others interfere in your affairs. No one likes that.“
Venezuela is wracked by hyperinflation, widespread shortages of food and medicine and struggles in the key oil industry, which the opposition blames on mismanagement and socialist policies of the government.
UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said the humanitarian problem has worsened and “the scale of need is significant and growing,” with seven million people representing 25 per cent of Venezuela’s population needing humanitarian aid. Lowcock told the council the UN is working to expand humanitarian aid, but much more is needed.

Maduro, with Peter Maurer, of the International Committee of the Red Cross. (Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores Press Office/Associated Press
On a five-day visit to Venezuela, Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, announced that the ICRC is tripling its budget for the country to $24 million US and doubling staff to 180. It will focus on issues including rehabilitating hospitals, increasing water supplies, training military in international humanitarian law and visiting detainees.
On television Maduro, hypocritically denying a humanitarian crisis, announced “an agreement” with the International Red Cross to work with the U N to deliver aid. This agreement proves that the USA and other democracies are right in seeking regime change since international taxpayers bear the burden of aid.
Electricity ration sparks new round of protests
Maduro announced a 30-day plan to ration electricity following nationwide power cuts that inflicted misery on millions of people and ignited protests, including one near the presidential palace.
The rationing plan will help deal with the outages that disconnected water supply and communications. Maduro warned against any unrest in reaction to blackouts.
Before Maduro’s appeal for calm, protestors responded to opposition leader Juan Guaido and demonstrated against the failure to provide basic services. Many cursed Maduro, burned trash and blocked roads. Police did not intervene in most cases but alleged government “colectivos” on motorbikes threatened protesters. Masked men and men firing in the streets appeared. “Colectivos” are sometimes armed .
Maduro said “colectivos” and other pro-government groups should keep order as Venezuela grapples with the blackouts, which he blamed on U.S.-led sabotage without clear evidence. “We’re confronting monsters who want to destroy Venezuela.” Maduro said electricity rationing would balance generation and transmission with consumption, with the aim of ensuring water supply.
Guaido says years of neglect, mismanagement and corruption left the electrical grid in shambles. “There is no sabotage. They brought the electrical system to a collapse because they are corrupt and now they can’t resolve it because they are incapable.“
Protests near the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas were a direct challenge to Maduro. “No one can put up with this. We spend almost all day without electricity,” said Karina Camacho, a housewife about to buy a chicken when electronic payment machines stopped working. “There’s been no water since (last) Monday, you can’t call by phone, we can’t pay with cards or even eat.”
Ongoing blackouts mark another point of tension in the OPEC founder, paralyzed by political and economic turmoil, compounding a humanitarian crisis and deepening a prolonged standoff between two political parties vying for power.
Betwork data showed just 15 per cent of Venezuela was online after the latest power cuts, while water supply, phone service and internet continued to be unreliable.
The United States and dozens of other countries support Guaido’s claim that Maduro’s re-election last year was illegitimate. The U.S. imposed oil sanctions and other economic penalties to force him out of power but he has yet to show signs of backing down.
The latest outage comes just weeks after Venezuela experienced nationwide blackouts on March 7 which closed schools, offices and factories and paralyzed most of the oil-rich country of 31 million.
Chinese Ambassador: Pompeo ‘Lost His Mind’ In Clash
Leaders battle over Venezuela’s future as Pentagon “explores options” .China’s ambassador to Chile, Xu Bu, derided U.S. Secretary of State – Mike Pompeo, “lost his mind” blaming China for the meltdown in Venezuela. The remarks followed Pompeo’s attack on China while visiting four South American nations. Tensions are ratcheting up as the Pentagon explores military options to deter Chinese, Russian and Cuban influence in Venezuela.
The Trump administration recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s self-declared interim president and imposed sanctions wreaking increasing hardships in the country to drive out embattled President Maduro.
Pompeo scorched Beijing for continuing to back Maduro, a “power-hungry tyrant.” China’s bankrolling of the Maduro regime “helped precipitate and prolong the crisis in that country,” said Pompeo.
China, Venezuela’s biggest foreign creditor, is estimated to have loaned up to $62 billion since 2007. China’s Foreign Ministry criticized Pompeo’s “groundless allegations” and “attempts to … sow discord between China and Latin American countries.” The U.S. “has long been treating Latin America as its backyard, where it would resort to willful use of pressure, threat or even subversion …. I am sure Latin American countries are fully capable of telling a true friend from a false one who is ignoring rules and spreading chaos,” spokesman Lu Kang said in Beijing.
The confrontation may affect the relationship between China and the U.S. as they continue to negotiate a trade deal that is close to completion.
3 million Venezuelans — 10% of the population — fled over the last three years amid hardships. The United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 40,000 Venezuelans are living in Trinidad, of whom 10,000 have registered as asylum-seekers with the UN refugee agency. They include criminals, traders in arms and drugs and food vendors.
US Sanctions Nine Ships, Four Owners
Another four shipping companies and nine vessels that operate in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy have been blacklisted, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The most hit was Italy-based PB Tankers as OFAC blacklisted almost its entire fleet, namely the vessels Silver Point, Alba Marina, Gold Point, Ice Point, Indian Point, and Iron Point. The company is a registered owner of six vessels and manager of one unit.
OFAC noted that the company’s chemical and oil tanker Silver Point delivered oil products from Venezuela to Cuba during March 2019.
Sanctions were imposed on the crude oil tanker Nedas, owned by Liberia-based Jennifer Navigation, for delivering crude oil from Venezuela to Cuba during January and March of 2019.
Crude oil tanker New Hellas, owned by Lima Shipping Corporation was blacklisted for delivering crude oil from Venezuela to Cuba during February and March 2019.
The blacklist now also includes oil products tanker S-Trotter, owned by Large Range Limited, that delivered oil products from Venezuela to Cuba during February and March 2019.
“We continue to target companies that transport Venezuelan oil to Cuba, as they are profiting while the Maduro regime pillages natural resources. Venezuela’s oil belongs to the Venezuelan people, and should not be used as a bargaining tool to prop up dictators and prolong oppression,” Mnuchin said.
On International Workers’ Day. across 65 cities, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) said that protests in 24 states were “strongly repressed” in at least 12.
Mike Pompeo said: “Maduro simply should leave. It’s his time. He has no answers for the Venezuelan people and the United States is determined to restoring democracy and beginning to build back their economy.“
Guaidó’s gamble could backfire on America
Violent clashes on the streets of Caracas raised the stakes over the future of Venezuela, shaping the fate of the Maduro regime and of US and Russian influence over South America.
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó appeals to the military for support
Juan Guaidó appealed for his supporters to take to the streets again on May Day, after a day of violent clashes. One man died in demonstrations.
President Maduro, whom the opposition leader is trying to unseat, remains defiant despite protests. On television he described Guaidó’s supporters as a “small group” whose plan had failed. The US alleges Maduro had been ready to travel to Cuba to escape the unrest. “They had an airplane on the tarmac. He was ready to leave.., as we understand it. Russians indicated he should stay,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN, without offering evidence. US officials claimed three prominent figures in Maduro’s government agreed the president had to go but later backtracked. US National Security Advisor John Bolton said those figures allegedly included Defence Secretary Vladimir Padrino – who has since reaffirmed his support and appeared with Maduro in his televised address. Sitting with military commanders, Maduro vowed he would be victorious in the face of ” a coup attempt backed by US imperialism”. Events of Tuesday would “not go unpunished”.”[Prosecutors] will launch criminal prosecutions for the serious crimes..against the constitution, the rule of law and the right to peace.”
Guaidó s renewed his calls for Venezuelans to take to the streets to complete the “final phase” of his effort to oust Maduro.
In a video Guaidó alongside men in military uniform, announced support of “brave soldiers” in Caracas.
“The National Armed Forces have taken the correct decision… they are guaranteed to be on the right side of history.” He urged Venezuelans to join them in the streets, and appeared alongside another opposition leader, Leopoldo López, under house arrest since 2014. Supporters on both sides gathered in different places in Caracas,
Despite Guaidó’s calls, most of the military stayed on the side of Maduro during the clashes.

“This is unstoppable,” says Carlos Vecchio, Juan Guaido’s envoy to the US
During running clashes between Guaidó’s supporters and armed military vehicles, protesters throwing rocks were repelled by tear gas and water cannon. A military vehicle drove into protesters.
Guaidó, the president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, has been calling on the military to back him since he declared himself interim president in January.
He argues that President Maduro is a “usurper” because he was re-elected in polls that are widely disputed.
Presentational grey line
During the most violent episode of the political crisis this year 69 people were injured in clashes, including two with bullet wounds. Broadcasts from the BBC and CNN, were suspended amid the violence. Mr López sought safety in the Chilean, then the Spanish embassy, with his family. Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero said it was Mr López’s “personal decision”, because he and his wife Lilian Tintori are of Spanish descent.
A failure or more to come?
( by Katy Watson, South America correspondent)
It is not clear where the dramatic events leave Venezuela. Guaidó made a bold move by saying the armed forces were on his side and the presence of opposition politician Leopoldo López, who was under house arrest, beside him was also a surprise. Who freed him and what did that say about the loyalties of the armed forces? Doubts surfaced – who exactly was backing the uprising?
Guaidó’s video was a motivational pep talk that felt hollow. He claims Mr Maduro has neither the support nor the respect of the armed forces, yet clearly the generals at the top – whose support Guaidó needs – aren’t on the opposition’s side either.
This is seen as another failed attempt by the opposition to take power. Yet, although Maduro still occupies the presidential palace, his future isn’t secure either – he summed up the day as “intense” on state television but there’s no question both sides will be feeling the heat
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has now issued an emergency prohibition against all US carriers flying below 26,000ft in Venezuelan airspace.
All US operators should leave the country within 48 hours, due to increasing political instability.
How has the international community reacted?
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed for both sides to avoid violence.
The United States, who backed Guaidó since he declared himself interim leader, reiterated their support. President Trump was monitoring events in Venezuela “very closely” and the US stood with the Venezuelan people and their freedom. He threatened to implement the “highest-level sanctions” and a “full and complete embargo” against Cuba, unless their military immediately ceased supporting Maduro.
“Hopefully, all Cuban soldiers will promptly and peacefully return to their island!”
John Bolton has called on Venezuelan officials to “do what is right” for the country
Governments who still support Mr Maduro, including Bolivia and Cuba, condemned Guaidó’s efforts as an attempted “coup d’etat”. The Mexican government expressed “concern about a possible increase in violence.” Colombian President Ivan Duque urged the Venezuelan military to stand “on the right side of history” against Maduro.
An emergency meeting of the Lima Group of Latin American countries was scheduled .
SEETHING STREETS
Guaido leads attempt to overthrow Maduro
Anti-Maduro supporters attacked a Bolivarian National Guard officer loyal to Maduro during clashes in Caracas. The streets of Caracas were stained with blood and littered with tear gas cannisters as Guaidó took a bold step to overthrow Maduro and his regime.
Taking to the streets, he called for a military uprising which drew support from the Trump administration amid resistance from forces loyal to embattled socialist Maduro.
Street battles erupted in Caracas in the most serious challenge yet to Maduro’s rule — urged in a video of Guaidó, flanked by armed national guardsmen, seeking a final push to topple Maduro. Armored vehicles plowed into anti-government demonstrators trying to storm the capital’s air base, hitting at least two protesters. The rebellion, dubbed “Operation Freedom,” garnered limited military support.
US National Security Advisor John Bolton said the Trump administration was waiting for three key officials, including Maduro’s defense minister and head of the supreme court, to act on private pledges to remove Maduro.
The dramatic events began when Guaidó, flanked by a few dozen national guardsmen and some armored crowd-control vehicles, released the three-minute video shot near the Carlota air base.
Leopoldo Lopez, Guaido’s political mentor and the most-prominent opposition activist, stood alongside him. Detained in 2014 for leading a previous round of anti-government unrest, Lopez said he was released from house arrest by security forces adhering to an order from Guaidó.
“I want to tell the Venezuelan people: This is the moment to take to the streets and accompany these patriotic soldiers,” Lopez declared.
As the two opposition leaders coordinated actions from a highway overpass, troops loyal to Maduro fired tear gas from the adjacent air base. A crowd scurried for cover, reappearing later with Guaidó. Masked youths stayed on the highway, lobbing rocks and Molotov cocktails toward the air base and setting a government bus on fire. Amid the mayhem, armored utility vehicles careened over a berm and drove into the crowd. Two demonstrators, lying on the ground , were removed on a motorcycle as the vehicles dodged fireballs.
“It’s now or never,” said one of the rebellious soldiers, his face covered in the blue bandanna worn by the insurgent troops.
In a medical center near the street battles doctors treated 50 people, about half with injuries from rubber bullets. At least one person had been shot with live ammunition.
Lopez and his family sought refuge in the Chilean ambassador’s residence, where another political ally has been staying for over a year. 25 troops who had been with Guaidó fled to Brazil’s diplomatic mission.
Amid the confusion, Maduro tried to project an image of strength, saying regional military commanders reaffirmed their loyalty. “Nerves of steel!” he said in a post.
Flanked by top military commanders, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López condemned Guaido’s move as a “terrorist” act and “coup attempt” that was bound to fail like past uprisings.
“Those who try to take Miraflores with violence will be met with violence,” he said on television, referring to the presidential palace where government supporters, some brandishing firearms, had gathered to defend Maduro.
Guaidó said he called for the uprising to restore constitutional order, broken when Maduro was sworn in earlier this year for a second term following elections boycotted by the opposition and considered illegitimate by dozens of countries.
Governments around the world expressed support for Guaidó while reiterating calls to avoid violent confrontation. Bolton declined to discuss possible actions — military or otherwise — but reiterated that “all options” are on the table as President Trump monitors developments “minute by minute.” Spain’s socialist caretaker government urged restraint, while the governments of Cuba and Bolivia reiterated support for Maduro.