7 Oil Tankers Divert from Venezuela following US Threats to Seize Vessels

Venezuela is facing a growing energy and economic squeeze as at least seven oil tankers destined for the country have changed course or stalled at sea, following a series of U.S. threats to seize vessels linked to President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. 

The diversions mark a new phase in the tightening U.S. sanctions targeting Venezuelan oil exports, the lifeblood of the country’s economy.

According to shipping data tracked by Bloomberg, four tankers have entirely altered their routes away from Venezuela, while three others remain anchored offshore. Collectively, these vessels are capable of transporting approximately 12.4 million barrels of crude oil, a significant volume that highlights the potential disruption to Venezuelan output.

The standoff comes after the United States executed military and economic measures in December, including boarding the tanker Skipper, as part of an ongoing campaign to disrupt Maduro’s revenue streams, which the U.S. alleges fund criminal activity and narcotics trafficking, a claim firmly denied by Caracas.

As Venezuelan storage tanks reach maximum capacity, the state oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), has reportedly shuttered several wells. Production in the country’s Orinoco oil belt, which accounts for the bulk of its crude output, dropped by 25% by December 29 compared to mid-month levels.

Despite the broader exodus of vessels, U.S. oil giant Chevron continues to load Venezuelan crude under a license from the U.S. Treasury Department, demonstrating a controlled exception amid a landscape of growing international pressure.

The disruption underscores Venezuela’s paradox: it holds the largest proven oil reserves in the world, an estimated 303 billion barrels, yet actual production remains far below capacity due to sanctions, mismanagement, and crumbling infrastructure. Analysts warn that any prolonged interference with exports could further strain the global energy market, particularly for heavy crude, of which Venezuela is a major source.

As the U.S. ramps up pressure, Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy faces a critical juncture. The outcome will likely hinge on whether Maduro’s regime maintains control of strategic assets, or if foreign intervention reshapes the country’s energy landscape, potentially altering the dynamics of global oil supply for years to come.