分类： world

WASHINGTON (AFP) — In a dramatic long-range maritime enforcement operation, US military forces have successfully intercepted and seized an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean that was attempting to evade President Trump’s sanctioned vessel blockade. The Pentagon confirmed Monday that the Aquila II was boarded without incident during overnight operations.

The vessel had been operating in violation of the established US quarantine of sanctioned ships in the Caribbean region before attempting to flee. Pentagon officials stated on social media platform X that the tanker ‘ran, and we followed,’ emphasizing the determined pursuit across ocean basins. The operation was documented with video footage showing US special operations forces fast-roping from helicopters onto the tanker’s deck.

This seizure marks the eighth such enforcement action since President Trump’s December directive establishing a blockade against oil vessels traveling to and from Venezuela. It represents the second instance where US forces have pursued a sanctioned vessel beyond the Caribbean region, following last month’s apprehension of a Russia-linked tanker in the North Atlantic after a similar chase originating near Venezuela.

The Washington administration has significantly increased naval presence in the Caribbean, conducting multifaceted operations including drug interdiction missions, tanker seizures, and the controversial operation targeting Venezuela’s socialist leader Nicolás Maduro. Despite these high-profile seizures, captured vessels constitute only a minimal fraction of the estimated 800-strong global ‘dark fleet’ of sanctioned ships operating worldwide, as noted by Rear Admiral David Barata of the US Coast Guard in recent congressional testimony.

MONTREAL — Air Canada, the nation’s flagship carrier, has announced an immediate suspension of all commercial flights to Cuba effective Monday, citing a critical shortage of aviation fuel at the island’s airports that has jeopardized operational safety. The airline confirmed in an official statement that commercially available jet fuel is projected to become entirely unavailable at Cuban aviation facilities starting February 10th.

The decision comes amid a severe energy crisis in Cuba, which industry analysts attribute to intensified geopolitical pressures and economic sanctions. In response to the service suspension, Air Canada has initiated a special repatriation operation, deploying aircraft without passengers to Cuban destinations specifically to retrieve Canadian travelers currently stranded in the country.

This development represents the most significant disruption to Canadian-Cuban air connectivity in recent history, potentially affecting thousands of travelers during the peak winter travel season. Aviation authorities are monitoring the situation closely as other international carriers serving Cuban routes evaluate their operational contingencies amid the escalating fuel availability crisis.

The United Nations has expressed profound alarm over a dramatic escalation in gender-based violence across Haiti, revealing an estimated 8,000 reported cases in the past year—marking a 25 percent surge compared to the previous period. UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized that due to significant underreporting, this figure represents merely a fraction of the actual incidents.

Dujarric detailed the horrific conditions facing survivors, noting that attacks frequently occur within overcrowded displacement sites where emergency care remains severely limited. Only 30 percent of survivors manage to receive critical assistance within the crucial 72-hour window, substantially increasing risks of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Chronic underfunding has further crippled support systems, leaving victims without access to legal assistance, child protection services, or safe shelter.

To address this humanitarian emergency, the UN and its partners are seeking $24 million in funding to implement comprehensive prevention and response measures targeting 1.5 million people with medical, psychological, and support services.

Concurrently, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is intensifying efforts to monitor water quality in Port-au-Prince’s displacement camps to prevent cholera outbreaks. With support from the European Union’s Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Delegation, displaced families are participating in practical simulations to strengthen safe water practices.

Separately, the UN expressed growing concern over Cuba’s deteriorating fuel shortages and their cascading effects on critical services. The scarcity has disrupted clean water delivery, medical care, food distribution, and other essential aid, particularly in regions devastated by Hurricane Melissa last October. There are additional concerns that airport operations could be compromised, further hampering relief efforts.

The UN team in Cuba previously launched a $74 million action plan last November to support national recovery efforts for the more than two million people affected by Hurricane Melissa. However, with only 23 percent of required funding secured, the organization issued an urgent call for additional resources to ensure aid reaches vulnerable populations.