CARACAS

A LEADING INTERNATIONAL maritime lawyer says that Venezuelan drug boats should re-flag themselves as Russian or Chinese to lessen the risk of being blown out of the water by the Americans.

“Flags of convenience are a tried and tested way of avoiding unpleasant consequences at sea,” insists Sol Malhombre who registers vessels all over the world for high net worth clients. “Panama and Liberia still have large flag of convenience fleets but they’re not powerful enough to scare the Trump administration off. These Venezuelan drug cartels need the protection of a really strong state if they are to avoid continued destruction. Who better than China and Russia to grant them registration? The Americans are likely to think twice before blowing any boat flying a Chinese or Russian flag. The fees pouring into Moscow and Beijing would be huge. Enough to finance a war or two.”