Pending Iranian oil tankers, Venezuela tests its missiles

"We are ready for anything, anytime," said Nicolas Maduro. Francisco BATISTA / Venezuelan Presidency / AFP

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This Thursday, May 21, Venezuela tested missiles on an island, announced President Nicolas Maduro, while waiting for the arrival of Iranian oil tankers supposed to supply crude to the South American country, in the midst of tensions with the United States.

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"  We have witnessed military exercises (...) on the island of La Orchila, with the testing of maximum precision missiles for the defense of our waters and our coasts,  " said Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan head of state, during a meeting with the military high command broadcast on state television, without direct mention of Iranian ships. The tests are being carried out as part of the “Bolivarian Shield” operation, a permanent deployment ordered in February 2020.

A "  propaganda exercise  "

Opponent Juan Guaido, recognized as interim president by some fifty countries including the United States, described this operation as a "  propaganda exercise  ". In a statement, Guaido said Thursday that the ships "  will only serve to enrich the dictatorial mafia  ," citing a black market that flourishes with the shortage of gasoline.

The Venezuelan government announced, on Wednesday, May 20, the upcoming arrival of Iranian oil tankers, for a delivery of crude oil that Tehran has ordered the United States not to hinder by movements of its navy in the Caribbean. "  We are ready for anything, anytime  ," Maduro said Wednesday in a speech on government television, thanking his Iranian ally for his support in the face of Washington's open hostility.

Oil production in free fall

According to press reports, five tankers have left Iran in recent days and are on their way to the Venezuelan Caribbean. The United States announced at the beginning of April a greater surveillance of the organized crime in this area, deploying inter alia combat ships. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world but its production is in free fall. Caracas believes that American sanctions are responsible for this collapse. Experts attribute it to wrong political choices, lack of investment and corruption.

( with AFP )

Read also: Five Iranian oil tankers en route to Venezuela

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  • Venezuela
  • Oil
  • Energies
  • Nicolas Maduro