Trump announces US naval blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.

Donald Trump said on December 16, 2025, that the United States will impose a total blockade on sanctioned oil tankers associated with Venezuelan crude exports, citing allegations of drug trafficking and illicit financing tied to the Maduro government.

As reported by the BBC on December 17, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on December 16, 2025, that the United States would impose a total blockade on sanctioned oil tankers associated with Venezuelan crude exports, citing allegations of drug trafficking and illicit financing tied to the Maduro government. The move increases enforcement risk for shipping, raises uncertainty over Venezuelan oil supply, and may affect buyers, including China.
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Tankers sanctioned by the US that are trying to load or transport Venezuelan crude could now be intercepted, detained, or prevented from entering or leaving Venezuelan ports, with their cargoes at risk of being seized if they attempt to run the blockade. (Picture source: US Navy)

Trump specifically announced what he described as a total blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to or from Venezuela, marking a new escalation in pressure against Nicolás Maduro’s government. He linked the measure to U.S. accusations involving drug trafficking, organized crime, and the financing of illicit networks through oil revenues. Trump also stated that the blockade was intended to prevent sanctioned crude from reaching international buyers and warned that any country continuing to purchase Venezuelan oil could face consequences, including the seizure of cargoes. In that context, he explicitly referenced China, identifying it as a key buyer and signaling that Chinese-linked shipments would not be exempt. Venezuelan authorities immediately rejected the announcement, calling it an attack on sovereignty and international navigation, and said the country would defend free trade and maritime rights.

Financial markets reacted quickly to the blockade announcement, reflecting uncertainty over Venezuela's supply and the scope of enforcement. U.S. crude futures rose by more than 1 percent following the news, while Brent and WTI prices also recorded short-term gains. Despite the immediate reaction, prices remained relatively low by recent historical standards, indicating that traders still view global supply as broadly sufficient. Market assessments diverged on the longer-term impact, with some expecting limited disruption if enforcement remains focused on already sanctioned vessels. Others warned that sustained removal of up to 1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil per day could tighten heavy crude markets. Estimates suggest prices could rise by $5 to $8 per barrel if lost Venezuelan supply is not offset elsewhere.

The blockade announcement followed the recent U.S. seizure of a large oil tanker near Venezuelan waters, an operation that now serves as a reference point for how such enforcement may unfold. The vessel, widely identified as the Very Large Crude Carrier Skipper, had previously been sanctioned and was intercepted by U.S. authorities with Coast Guard and military support. The quantity and value of the seized oil vary across accounts, but estimates range from roughly 1.1 million barrels of Merey heavy sour crude to figures approaching 1.85 or even nearly 2 million barrels, with a valuation cited at about $95 million. U.S. officials said the tanker would be taken to a U.S. port and the cargo placed under U.S. control following legal procedures, while Venezuela described the operation as theft and international piracy, arguing that the vessel and cargo were unlawfully taken.

Following the seizure, reactions from oil companies and tanker operators highlighted growing caution and operational paralysis around Venezuelan crude. Several companies reportedly sought clarification on the status and ownership of the seized cargo, reflecting uncertainty over legal exposure and commercial losses. Tracking data showed that around 18 sanctioned tankers already loaded with Venezuelan oil remained inside Venezuelan waters rather than sailing onward. Operators appeared unwilling to risk seizure at sea, especially after evidence that the seized tanker had allegedly disabled its AIS transponder and used spoofing techniques during loading at Venezuela’s Jose terminal to display a false position near Guyana. The United States has continued expanding its sanctions list, which already includes hundreds of vessels worldwide, and additional tanker operators and intermediaries are expected to be added, reinforcing concerns about insurance, port access, and crew safety. As a result, shipping activity around Venezuela slowed further in the days following the seizure.

Oil exports represent the core of Venezuela’s economy and the primary source of hard currency for the government. Venezuelan crude exports this year have averaged around 750,000 barrels per day, with production estimated near 1 million barrels per day. China has been identified as the largest buyer, alongside smaller flows to other partners, often at steep discounts, as Venezuela’s finances are highly dependent on crude exports. To sustain exports under sanctions, Venezuela relies heavily on an aging shadow fleet using opaque ownership structures, limited insurance, blending, and ship-to-ship transfers to obscure origins. Estimates of this shadow fleet range from several hundred to more than a thousand vessels globally, often linked across Venezuelan, Iranian, and Russian trade routes. These practices raise transport costs and reduce net revenues, but Chevron represents a notable exception within this pressure campaign. Remaining the only U.S. firm active in Venezuela and employing about 3,000 people through joint ventures, the output from Chevron-linked projects in the Orinoco Belt has risen to about 300,000 barrels per day, roughly one-third of Venezuela’s production, though U.S. officials maintain that strict limits prevent direct revenue flows.

Alongside the blockade, the United States has expanded sanctions against Venezuela-linked assets, reinforcing financial and logistical pressure. Hundreds of vessels worldwide are already designated under U.S. sanctions, and additional tankers and operators connected to Venezuelan crude exports are being added. New sanctions have also targeted individuals linked to the Maduro government, including family members and associates accused of facilitating oil sales and financial flows. These measures are designed to restrict access to shipping services, insurance, and international banking. By broadening the sanctions net, U.S. authorities aim to deter intermediaries and increase compliance costs. The approach complements maritime interdiction by limiting alternative pathways for exports. Furthermore, the U.S. also recently announced a total closure of the Venezuelan airspace.

The blockade coincides with a significant U.S. military presence in the Caribbean region, which was detailed in this article. Thousands of U.S. personnel have been deployed, supported by nearly a dozen warships, including an aircraft carrier and amphibious assault ships. Naval aviation assets such as helicopters and V-22 Ospreys are operating alongside maritime patrol aircraft like the P-8 Poseidon, which monitor tanker movements and port activity. Air surveillance and intelligence assets have been reinforced, while warnings have been issued regarding Venezuelan airspace. On land, U.S. regional commands have increased readiness and coordination with partners. Venezuela has responded with internal mobilizations and exercises, though the balance of forces remains heavily asymmetric.

This maritime and military posture also overlaps with a broader U.S. campaign against suspected drug trafficking in the region. Under Operation Southern Spear, U.S. forces have conducted repeated strikes on vessels accused of transporting narcotics in international waters since September. Reported fatalities from these operations range from the high 80s to the mid 90s. U.S. officials describe the strikes as targeting networks involved in large-scale trafficking and preventing drugs from reaching the United States. Some operations, including follow-up strikes, have drawn scrutiny over targeting and proportionality. Together with the blockade, these actions reflect a multi-layered pressure strategy combining sanctions, interdiction, and kinetic force.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.