The vessel intercepted in Venezuelan waters recently, while conducting scientific research and marine and underwater exploration, was flying the Panamanian flag, according to Admiral José Rafael Hernández Abchi, commander of the Maritime and Insular Defense Region.
He explained that the vessel was sighted on May 28 by the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) during maritime patrols to monitor and control aquatic spaces.
"The Bolivarian National Armed Forces detected the presence of a Panamanian-flagged vessel number 35, navigating in the exclusive economic zone, heading toward the state of Delta Amacuro, approximately 43 miles off the coast."
After 12 days of monitoring, the aforementioned vessel, located in Venezuelan waters, was boarded and inspected, in accordance with international maritime law and other applicable legal provisions.
Hernández Abchi explained that during the procedure, the crew was expressed "reasonable doubt" about the vessel's work, since "the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has the sovereign right to exercise authority in these aquatic spaces."
In response, the crew was notified that both they and the vessel were "remaining in preventive custody" of Venezuelan authorities, so that the corresponding investigations could be conducted.
El ship N 35 has been in the Port of Guamache on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta state, since June 15, "in order to carry out the relevant inspections and determine the respective responsibilities in the case."
The commander of the Insular Maritime Network explained that officials from the Ministry of People's Power for Health, the National Anti-Drug Office, the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces, the Administration, Immigration and Foreigners Service, the Coast Guard, and personnel from the Hydrography and Navigation Service have been summoned for the investigations.
Camouflaged ship
In an audiovisual material published by journalist Madelein García, Redi authorities explain that the vessel, both in its color and acronym, "resembles a warship."
However, when contacted, they reported that they were tracking a route to find a World War II ship and explained that they were not in Venezuelan waters. For this reason, the Navy personnel were forced to inform them that they were positioned in Venezuela's exclusive economic zone.
The crew of the N35 reported that they traveled from the Canary Islands, Spain, to search for the old vessel and insisted they remained in the waters of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
In total, nine citizens of different nationalities were on board the ship: Dutch, Hungarian, Honduran, Panamanian, and Spanish.
In the material, Venezuelan authorities explain that, given the location of the vessel and considering that this is an area where Exxon Mobil, with Guyana's consent, has made important discoveries, "they know that the only way to conduct scientific studies in this area is with a camouflaged vessel."
In this regard, the material indicates that it is noteworthy that the vessel explored right in one corner of the Stabroek block, discovered by the US oil multinational in maritime territory yet to be delimited between Venezuela and Guyana.
