I don't understand why this is such a big deal. The solution is right there in the article - send a few ships from the navy, like the Spanish treasure fleets of

I don't understand why this is such a big deal. The solution is right there in the article - send a few ships from the navy, like the Spanish treasure fleets of old. If England doesn't want armed Venezuelan ships in their waters, use a freighter and escort it all the way back. Divide up the cargo between the ships if you're really paranoid. The author is inventing a problem where none exists. Transporting large amounts of heavy cargo overseas is a solved problem.