Venezuela’s National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously approved a law imposing prison sentences of up to 20 years for anyone who promotes or finances acts of piracy, in a move widely seen as a response to recent actions by the United States against Venezuelan oil shipments.
The bill, titled “Law to Guarantee Freedom of Navigation and Trade Against Piracy, Blockades, and Other Illegal International Acts,” was introduced on Monday by pro-government lawmaker Giuseppe Alessandrello.
The legislation also covers “other international crimes” and aims to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty and keep the country’s maritime trade routes open.
At the end of the session, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez announced that the bill would be sent to the executive branch for approval and would enter into force immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette.
The legal move comes amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States. According to U.S. authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard seized a sanctioned tanker carrying Venezuelan crude oil and attempted to intercept two additional vessels over the weekend.
Washington has argued that these operations are part of efforts to combat sanctions evasion and drug trafficking.
On the other hand, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused the United States of seeking to undermine Venezuela’s economy and remove him from power.
Maduro said the new law is intended to protect Venezuela’s rights and punish any act considered a threat to national security.
International policy analysts warn that the legislation could further escalate regional tensions, given recent clashes between Venezuela and the United States over the oil industry and maritime security.
