One dead, one missing after robbers attack tanker off Venezuela

One person was killed while another has gone missing after armed robbers attacked an oil tanker off northeastern Venezuela on Monday, February 24.

The incident occurred on the morning (local time) of Monday when six gun-wielding masked men boarded the Togolese-flagged tanker San Ramon while it was anchored in the waters of Mochima National Park.

San Ramon‘s captain, identified as 58-year-old Colombian national Jaime Herrera Orozco, was shot and killed after he reportedly attempted to prevent the perpetrators from taking any valuables off the ship.

The robbers were nonetheless able to steal some items and fled the scene using a speedboat.

Venezuelan officials said one crewmember jumped into the water during the incident to escape the robbers. However, no trace of this individual has yet been found.

A Venezuelan Coast Guard sailor who was also aboard the tanker was injured in the attack.

San Ramon has spent the last seven months anchored off Venezuela’s Port of Barcelona under coast guard custody  as local public prosecutors look into allegations that the vessel and its crew had been involved in fuel smuggling.