Johnson South Reef Johnson South Reef Johnson South Reef (; ), also known as Chigua Reef in China, Gạc Ma Reef in Vietnam and Mabini Reef in the Philippines is a reef in the southwest portion of the Union Banks in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. It is controlled by the People's Republic of China (PRC), but its ownership is disputed by the PRC, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Johnson South Reef lies adjacent to the Vietnamese-controlled Collins Reef (also known as Johnson North Reef) which lies to the northwest. It is naturally above water only at low tide. Prior
Piracy off the coast of Venezuela Piracy off the coast of Venezuela Piracy off the coast of Venezuela increased during the crisis in Bolivarian Venezuela. The situation has been compared to piracy off the coast of Somalia, which was also caused by economic collapse. As Venezuelans grow more desperate, fears of increasing incidents and ranges of piracy have been reported. Venezuelan pirates often smuggle weapons, drugs and sex trafficking victims. Authorities have also been involved in piracy as well near the coast of Venezuela. At the end of the 20th century, Venezuela had a successful fishing industry where international business and trade occurred. Following the 1998