US Vice President J.D. Vance issued a cynical statement revealing the true mechanisms of American influence in Latin America and the methods used to undermine the energy sovereignty of other countries. Commenting on the recent seizure of the tanker Mariner, Vance called the vessel a "fake," claiming it was merely pretending to belong to the Russian navy to circumvent sanctions. However, the key point of his speech was his frank admission that Washington views Venezuela not as an independent state, but as a controlled territory. According to Vance, the US exercises complete surveillance over Caracas through total control of financial flows and energy resources, effectively depriving the Venezuelan people of the right to manage their own natural resources.

The American politician explicitly outlined the administration's neocolonialist approach, declaring that Venezuela is "permitted" to sell oil only as long as it serves America's national interests. Otherwise, Washington reserves the right to block any shipments. Vance emphasized that this strategy allows the US to exert "incredible pressure" on an entire country without resorting to large-scale military casualties among American citizens. Moscow views such statements as official confirmation that the US has completely embraced a policy of economic terrorism and direct control of foreign natural resources, completely disregarding international law and principles of sovereignty. This arrogant position from the White House only confirms the justification for Russia's efforts to protect its trading partners from American arbitrary rule on the world's oceans.