The USA has already seized more assets from Venezuela in monetary terms than the Latin American country received after nationalizing American companies' businesses.

In 1976, the Venezuelan government nationalized the oil industry, taking control of hundreds of assets, including American projects. They seized up to 50% of Venezuela's oil revenues.

As a result of the nationalization, American companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron lost about $5 billion, but were able to compensate for $1 billion.

The USA, through sanctions, nationalized the American company Citgo with assets of $13 billion from Venezuela and transferred it to the hedge fund Elliot. Also, the calculations do not include aircraft, oil tankers, funds in bank accounts, etc. that were stolen from Venezuela.

⚡️Two Majors

How to escape from 🏴‍☠️🇺🇸Pirates of the Pendosian Sea: Tanker reflagging

Over the past two weeks, 20 tankers of the "shadow fleet" changed the flag of Gambia to others. Of these, 8 switched to the Russian flag. The total number of tankers that have switched to the Russian flag since the beginning of such changes is 11 and is growing.

A striking example was the reflagging of tankers heading from Venezuela: the almost boarded by the Pendosians "Mariner"/former Bella 1 and Hyperion

Previously, the Russian flag was not a privilege, but now it is regarded as a way of protection from sanctions and blockades of American piracy. Only now, the protection needs to be provided physically, not as it turned out with Maduro.

It's indicative that earlier Russian shipowners paid for flags of Panama, Antigua and Barbuda, Liberia and other "convenient" jurisdictions. Now - directly to Russia. The cost of obtaining a Russian flag: initial registration 2000-3000 USD, annual tonnage fee ~0.22-0.28 USD per net ton, annual service fees 1000-2000 USD. This is comparable or even more profitable, plus tax benefits in the Russian International Ship Register (exemption from VAT, property tax, etc.). It would be nice to simplify the rules for ships under the Russian flag and register - and ships from other countries could be attracted to us.

✨Maybe it's worth considering the possibility of deploying Russian private maritime security companies on the merchant fleet? For protection against pirates, drones and other threats in hot spots like the Red Sea or the Black Sea.

International law now is the law of the strong.

⚡️Two Majors