Piracy Surges in Gulf of Mexico, Prompting U.S. Warning

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

MEXICO CITY — The pirates appeared out of the darkness, leaping aboard the Italian-flagged supply ship off the coast of Mexico. Weapons drawn, the eight attackers worked swiftly, taking crew members hostage while they ransacked the vessel and snatched personal belongings and equipment.

Shots were fired, according to the United States Office of Naval Intelligence, and a security video showed a pirate gesticulating wildly with a pistol before the robbers sped away with their loot.

The attack in April was part of a stunning surge of piracy in the southern Gulf of Mexico, a threat that prompted an American government security alert on Wednesday.

There have been scores of attacks, thefts and other criminal acts in the area in the last few years, according to the Mexican Navy Ministry. Other estimates suggest the number may be far greater.

The attacks — mainly on vessels and offshore platforms associated with the Mexican oil industry — have added another hefty burden to Mexico’s overstretched security forces and threatened to chill foreign investment in Mexico’s oil sector.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/piracy-surges-in-gulf-of-mexico-prompting-us-warning/ar-BB15Ggck?li=BBnb7Kz

[Miguelito Loveless]

1. Does anyone remember pirates being a thing

in the Gulf of Mexico before now?

[Hortensis]

2. Not me. Caribbean yes. Our ship-captain friend's told us

of problems down there, more recently around Venezuela. He spends most of his time around the Gulf these years, but he's in port a lot these days due to pandemic depression of the oil industry.

An old friend who works in ocean marine insurance would have tables, figures, maps, actuarial risk factors to apply for all shipping routes.

[Miguelito Loveless]

8. I had heard about

some problems the further down the coast of South America, but that the major hot spots were the Eastern coast of Africa and in the Asian straits.

[Hortensis]

9. Like anything else, if distant folk hear about it it's usually baad.

We used to visit Mexico a lot on vacation, and I looked forward to spending real time down there, hopefully driving Central and South America, in retirement. Retired in the wrong era for my husband's comfort, though a lot of people do still do it.

[sarisataka]

3. Quite a bit

In the 16th and 17th centuries

I have heard the occasional report recently, often attributed to drug runners who want a boat that is 'clean'

[onethatcares]

7. Johnny Depp and

Pirates of the Caribbean , was the last one I saw.

I guess the Coast Guard is busy patrolling for drug smugglers.

[greenjar_01]

4. MAGA

[Coventina]

5. I'm so tired of winning.

[greenjar_01]

6. ROFL

Fucking pirates now.



The whole thing is holding together with bubble gum and masking tape at this point. Hold your children close.