Pres. Maduro is under indictment for drug trafficking with a $15 mill reward offered by the US. He probably wanted the cruise ship for his own personal use, or maybe as a way to move drugs internationally.
The article says the cruise ship rescued the navy sailors. They should have let them go down with the ship.

“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell

It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.