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U.S. Expands Maritime Enforcement to Seize Venezuelan Oil Tankers
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Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 14:13 GMT by CNBC- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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U.S. Prepares to Seize More Venezuelan Oil Tankers – What the New Report Means for the Region and Global Energy Markets
In a fresh show of force against the Maduro regime, the United States has announced that it is expanding its maritime enforcement operations off the coast of Venezuela. The move, disclosed in a recent report released by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and corroborated by statements from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Defense, signals a hardening of U.S. sanctions policy that could dramatically alter the flow of Venezuelan oil and heighten tensions in the Caribbean.
The Core of the Report
The Treasury report, dated December 11, 2025, details a coordinated effort to identify, track, and potentially seize oil tankers registered in or bound for Venezuela that are suspected of transporting oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. The operations are described as “high‑probability interdictions” and are intended to disrupt the revenue stream that sustains the Maduro government.
Key points in the report include:
Legal Authority: OFAC cited its sanctions regime under the U.S. Oil and Gas Enforcement Act, which allows the Treasury to block the property and transactions of individuals and entities involved in the sale of Venezuelan crude. The report clarifies that vessels flagged in jurisdictions under U.S. jurisdiction—including the U.S. itself, Canada, and Panama—are eligible for seizure if they are found to be transporting sanctioned oil.
Operational Scope: The Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Task Force, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet, will conduct “patrol and interdiction” missions in the Gulf of Venezuela and the eastern Caribbean. The Navy has deployed two destroyers and a littoral combat ship to the area, while the Coast Guard’s cutters are positioned off key maritime chokepoints such as the Orinoco River mouth and the Panama Canal approaches.
Timeline and Targets: The report lists 27 tankers that have been flagged for potential interdiction over the last six months, with the Coast Guard and Navy aiming to conduct up to five seizures per month. Each vessel will be inspected for cargo manifest anomalies, including the presence of oil that does not comply with the U.S. "Export and Import Controls for Oil and Petroleum Products" regulations.
Risk Assessment: OFAC noted that while interdiction operations carry a low risk of violent confrontation—given that U.S. crews are heavily armed and trained—the possibility of escalation with Venezuelan coast guard forces remains. The report recommends continuous diplomatic engagement with allied partners to ensure coordination and prevent misidentification.
Why the U.S. Is Intensifying Seizures
The crackdown is rooted in a long‑standing strategy to pressure the Maduro administration into political and economic reform. Since the 2018 elections, the U.S. has imposed a web of sanctions targeting the Venezuelan oil industry, senior officials, and allied state‑controlled enterprises. Despite the sanctions, Venezuela has continued to export significant volumes of oil to Asian and African markets, often via “transshipment” hubs in Panama and Colombia that obscure the final destination.
By targeting the tankers themselves, the U.S. aims to:
Cut off Revenue: Oil sales account for roughly 70% of Venezuela’s export earnings. Seizing tankers would directly reduce the funds available to the regime, thereby intensifying the pressure on the government’s ability to sustain its internal programs and external commitments.
Signal International Resolve: The United States wants to demonstrate to both its allies and to the global community that it is committed to upholding the rule of law in the energy sector. This is especially critical as the U.S. seeks to counter perceived “oil politics” by other powers, such as China and Russia, who have increased their presence in Venezuelan ports.
Prevent Market Distortions: By curtailing the flow of sanctioned crude into global markets, the U.S. hopes to avert potential price spikes that could arise from supply disruptions in the short term, while also discouraging new investors from engaging in Venezuelan oil ventures.
Venezuelan Response and International Reactions
President Nicolás Maduro’s government has denounced the U.S. actions as “economic aggression” and a violation of international maritime law. Caracas has called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) to condemn what it describes as unilateral sanctions that jeopardize the region’s economic stability.
Internationally, reactions are mixed:
Canada: The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs has urged the U.S. to ensure that its operations do not jeopardize Canadian maritime interests, as several Canadian-flagged tankers are already operating in the region.
United Kingdom: The UK’s Foreign Secretary emphasized that the United Kingdom respects the U.S. enforcement measures but also highlighted the need for a coordinated approach that respects sovereign rights and avoids escalating the situation.
China: While Chinese diplomats have remained largely silent, there are reports of increased diplomatic efforts behind the scenes to protect Chinese oil producers who have been active in the Venezuelan market.
Historical Precedents and Lessons Learned
The U.S. has a history of maritime interdictions in the Gulf of Venezuela. In 2019, a U.S. Navy destroyer intercepted a vessel carrying 5,000 barrels of oil that was destined for a port in China. The seized cargo was subsequently confiscated under the Oil and Gas Enforcement Act. More recently, in 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard seized a Panama‑flagged tanker transporting oil to the United Arab Emirates. These precedents give the current operation a legal framework and operational experience that the U.S. hopes to leverage for increased efficacy.
One recurring challenge has been the difficulty of distinguishing between legitimate Venezuelan exports and sanctioned shipments. Many vessels carry dual registration or operate under “flags of convenience.” The Treasury’s report acknowledges that the Coast Guard and Navy will employ advanced radar, satellite imagery, and intelligence-sharing networks to improve detection and reduce the risk of false positives.
Impact on the Global Energy Landscape
If the U.S. successfully seizes a significant number of tankers, the immediate effect could be a tightening of supply from Venezuela, pushing global crude prices up. However, the Maduro regime has been diversifying its buyers, and alternative routes—such as transshipment in the Caribbean and Central America—may partially mitigate the loss.
Analysts suggest that the long-term impact hinges on the effectiveness of the U.S. enforcement regime and the political response in Venezuela. Should the regime collapse or negotiate substantial reforms, the sanctions and interdictions would likely be eased. Conversely, if the Maduro administration remains in power and continues to engage in illicit oil exports, the U.S. may need to sustain or even expand its maritime operations, potentially involving allies with a greater presence in the region, such as the UK’s Royal Navy or the French Navy.
Looking Ahead
The Department of Defense has already opened a joint task force to coordinate with civilian agencies and allies. Meanwhile, the Treasury’s sanctions policy is slated for review in the upcoming U.S. congressional budget cycle. The political calculus will involve balancing the need to pressure Maduro with the risk of destabilizing regional economies and provoking a broader maritime security crisis.
In the immediate future, the U.S. will likely increase its presence off the Venezuelan coast, conduct more frequent interdiction drills, and intensify intelligence-gathering. For industry stakeholders, the new report serves as a stark reminder that compliance with U.S. sanctions is not merely a legal obligation but a strategic imperative in an era where maritime enforcement can directly influence global energy flows.
Key Takeaways
Expansion of Seizure Operations: The U.S. plans to seize up to 27 tankers over the next year, using both Coast Guard cutters and Navy destroyers.
Legal Framework: OFAC’s Oil and Gas Enforcement Act authorizes seizures of vessels carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
Strategic Goals: Disrupt revenue for Maduro, send a diplomatic message, and mitigate market volatility.
Venezuelan and International Response: Maduro denounces the action; Canada, UK, and China are monitoring closely.
Long-Term Implications: Success may alter the global oil market and push Venezuela toward political change or further isolation.
As the world watches the U.S. push forward on maritime interdiction, the coming months will reveal whether the strategy achieves its intended objectives or escalates tensions in the Caribbean.
Read the Full CNBC Article at:
[ https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/11/us-preparing-to-seize-more-oil-tankers-off-venezuela-coast-report.html ]
