Oil tankers headed for Venezuela are suddenly changing course as the United States enforces a strict maritime blockade. Dozens of vessels carrying critical petroleum supplies have reversed course or stalled at sea, bringing Venezuela’s oil exports to a near standstill. The Jose oil terminal, Venezuela’s primary export facility, has reported no new loading activity in recent days, signalling a severe disruption to the country’s energy sector.

Meanwhile, even tankers chartered by major companies like Chevron find themselves affected by this aggressive enforcement of sanctions. As a result of the blockade, Venezuela’s storage facilities are quickly reaching capacity, forcing production shutdowns across the Orinoco basin. The Trump administration has intensified military presence in the Caribbean while simultaneously accusing the Maduro regime of narco-terrorism. This development comes amid growing international concern about the legality of such maritime enforcement actions, with some experts pointing to potential violations of international law.

US Blockade Halts Venezuela-Bound Oil Tankers

The maritime blockade announced by the Trump administration in December has dramatically impacted Venezuelan oil shipments. At least seven vessels have reversed course or halted at sea, with four others turning away immediately after U.S. forces boarded the vessel Skipper in mid-December. The combined capacity of these ships, avoiding Venezuelan waters, amounts to 12.4 million barrels of crude oil.

Four oil tankers have completely diverted from their intended routes to Venezuela, and three others remain stalled at sea, according to tracking data. This maritime disruption follows President Trump’s call for a “total and complete blockade” on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The pressure has frightened many vessel owners, prompting reroutings and u-turns, with only a fraction of ships maintaining their course toward the OPEC nation.

U.S. measures have rapidly increased PDVSA’s crude and fuel inventories. Despite these challenges, at least two ships under sanctions arrived in Venezuela over the last few days, and two more vessels not under sanctions were approaching its coast. Nevertheless, the blockade has effectively cut oil exports to approximately half of their November level of 950,000 barrels per day.

No New Loading Activity at Jose Oil Port

Satellite monitoring confirms no tankers were loading on Saturday at Venezuela’s main oil port of Jose. Subsequently, the paralysis emerged as port captains received no requests to authorise loaded ships to set sail. Several vessels recently loaded with crude and fuel bound for destinations including the U.S. and Asia have not departed, whereas others that had waited to load have left empty.

As of late December, almost two dozen tankers were visible from shore near the Jose port waiting for loading windows or departure instructions. The volume of oil stuck in undeparted tankers increased to approximately 16 million barrels, from 11 million barrels in mid-December. This shipping standstill has caused storage tanks to fill to capacity, forcing state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA to shut in some oil wells.

Chevron-Chartered Ships Also Affected

Notably, production in the key Orinoco basin, where most of Venezuela’s oil is produced, plunged 25% on December 29 compared with levels seen in mid-December. Although the blockade affects most shipping, Chevron continues to operate under special circumstances. The oil major maintains its presence in Venezuela under a waiver granted by the Biden administration in 2022, which President Trump extended last year.

At least two vessels chartered by Chevron that picked up oil from Venezuela since the Trump administration launched the partial maritime blockade have successfully unloaded cargoes at U.S. ports. The Searuby finished discharging its cargo, and the Canopus Voyager was in the process of unloading. Additionally, data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler showed a vessel named Nave Neutrino off-loading Venezuelan crude along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Prior to the current crisis, the only loaded vessels departing from Venezuela were Chevron’s tankers, which continued setting sail for the U.S. under Washington’s authorisation, along with small ships carrying oil byproducts and petrochemicals. However, a total suspension of oil exports, including tankers chartered by Chevron, could accelerate the country’s need to reduce output at oilfields.

Trump Administration Enforces Oil Embargo

In December 2025, President Trump officially ordered a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers” entering or leaving Venezuelan waters, intensifying pressure on the country’s oil-dependent economy. This decisive action amplified existing sanctions against Venezuela’s state-run oil company, PDVSA, which had been designated under Executive Order 13850 in January 2019.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) specifically targeted four companies operating in Venezuela’s oil sector along with their associated tankers. These vessels, identified as part of the “shadow fleet” serving Venezuela, were blocked as property: the Nord Star, Rosalind (also known as Lunar Tide), Della, and Valiant. These seizures followed the capture of the tanker Skipper on December 10, with a second vessel seized ten days later. The U.S. military reportedly continued pursuing a third tanker across the Atlantic Ocean.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated firmly: “President Trump has been clear: We will not allow the illegitimate Maduro regime to profit from exporting oil while it floods the United States with deadly drugs.” Once blocked, all property and interests belonging to these entities within U.S. jurisdiction become frozen, requiring reporting to OFAC. Certainly, these measures have effectively cut Venezuela’s exports to approximately half their November levels.

Military Presence Escalates in Caribbean

Concurrently, the U.S. mobilised an unprecedented military force in the Caribbean Sea and waters surrounding Venezuela. U.S. Southern Command reported approximately 15,000 personnel operating in the region—the largest military buildup there in generations. The naval presence included 11 warships: the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, five destroyers, three amphibious assault ships carrying Marines, and two cruisers.

Advanced weaponry deployed to the area included F-35B Lightning II jets positioned in Puerto Rico, EA-18G “Growler” electronic warfare jets, MQ-9 Reaper drones capable of carrying laser-guided missiles, and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The Air Force also flew B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer bombers to the region, with at least one such flight labelled a “bomber attack demo”. This operation, dubbed “Southern Spear,” represented a major show of force.

Trump Accuses Maduro of Narco-Terrorism

Throughout this campaign, President Trump consistently portrayed Maduro as heading a “narco-terrorist” regime. He designated two Venezuelan groups—Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles—as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), alleging the latter was led by Maduro himself. Furthermore, Trump offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.

The administration repeatedly claimed Venezuela was using oil revenue to fund drug trafficking, terrorism, and other crimes. On December 30, the CIA conducted a drone strike at a Venezuelan docking area allegedly used by drug cartels—the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since U.S. strikes began in September.

In response, on January 1, 2026, Maduro expressed willingness to negotiate an agreement with the United States to combat drug trafficking, yet maintained that the U.S. sought to force a government change and gain access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Undoubtedly, the embargo remains fully in effect, even as tensions between the two nations continue to escalate.

LATEST UPDATE: US Military Operation Captures Maduro

Maduro’s Capture and US Military Strike

On 3 January 2026, the United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela, culminating in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, codenamed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” involved coordinated airstrikes on military and strategic sites in Caracas and other northern regions, with over 150 aircraft participating. Special operations forces, including Army Delta Force and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, executed a daring helicopter raid on Maduro’s compound in Caracas, overcoming heavy resistance and disabling Venezuelan air defences through cyber and kinetic means.

Maduro and his wife were apprehended before they could reach a fortified safe room and were subsequently flown out of Venezuela aboard a US military aircraft. They arrived at Stewart International Airport in New York, where they were transferred to federal custody. Both face federal charges in the Southern District of New York, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offences. The indictment also names Maduro’s son and several top officials as co-defendants.

Immediate Aftermath and International Response

President Trump announced that the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could occur, with American companies expected to play a major role in rebuilding the country’s oil infrastructure. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president in Caracas, but the situation on the ground remains fluid, with reports of unrest, uncertainty, and celebrations among Venezuelan exiles and opposition supporters.

The operation has drawn sharp criticism and concern from international bodies and foreign governments. The United Nations Secretary-General called the strike “a dangerous precedent” and scheduled an emergency Security Council meeting. Many legal experts and world leaders have questioned the legality of the US action, citing violations of the UN Charter and Venezuelan sovereignty. Others, including some regional actors, have expressed support or called for calm and dialogue.

Situation in Venezuela

The Venezuelan government declared a national emergency and called for mobilisation against what it described as “imperialist aggression.” There are reports of casualties among military personnel and civilians, power outages, and ongoing uncertainty regarding the chain of command. The US military remains deployed in the region, with President Trump warning of a “second and much larger attack” if necessary.

Charges Against Maduro

The unsealed federal indictment accuses Maduro of leading a criminal enterprise that trafficked tons of cocaine into the United States over a 25-year period, leveraging his positions in government to facilitate drug shipments, provide diplomatic cover for traffickers, and enrich his family and associates. If convicted, Maduro faces the possibility of life imprisonment.

Conclusion

The US maritime blockade and subsequent military operation mark a dramatic escalation in the crisis surrounding Venezuela. The capture of Nicolás Maduro signals a turning point, but the country’s future remains highly uncertain. The humanitarian, legal, and geopolitical ramifications are profound, with the international community deeply divided over the legitimacy and consequences of the US actions. As events continue to unfold, Venezuela’s oil industry remains paralysed, and the nation stands at a crossroads between potential transition and further instability.

References (selected for latest updates):

2026 United States strikes in Venezuela | Wikipedia

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Maduro’s Capture and US Blockade Mark a Dramatic Escalation in Venezuela Crisis.