More than 30 oil vessels that are under U.S. sanctions could be facing penalties from Washington following the Coast Guard’s seizure of a supertanker carrying Venezuelan crude intended for export. This action, which was confirmed by President Donald Trump, marks the first instance of an oil cargo from Venezuela being confiscated amidst ongoing U.S. sanctions imposed since 2019. It also represents the Trump administration’s initial direct action against a tanker associated with Venezuela, coinciding with heightened military presence in the region.
As the U.S. intensifies its efforts to pressure the Venezuelan government led by President Nicolas Maduro, many vessel owners, operators, and shipping agencies are becoming increasingly cautious. Shipping sources indicate that numerous parties are reconsidering their plans to depart from Venezuelan waters in light of these developments.
Experts predict that targeting cargoes originating from Venezuela will result in short-term delays in exports and may deter some vessel owners from engaging in future shipments. This move is significant as it represents a shift in U.S. enforcement strategy, interrupting a long-standing practice where Venezuela’s oil exports were carried by intermediaries using third-party vessels. The implications of these actions could potentially reshape shipping dynamics in the region, highlighting the fraught geopolitical landscape surrounding Venezuela’s oil industry.
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