US Imposes Sanctions on 4 Venezuelan Oil Firms and 4 Tankers in Maduro Crackdown
The US imposed sanctions on four Venezuelan oil sector firms and four tankers on December 31, targeting what it calls a shadow fleet serving Maduro's government. This action is part of a broader pressure campaign that includes seizing oil tankers, conducting strikes on drug-smuggling boats, and a CIA drone strike on Venezuelan soil. The sanctions aim to deny access to US-held assets and disrupt networks supporting the Maduro administration.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
The United States escalated its pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government by imposing sanctions on four oil sector firms and designating four additional oil tankers as blocked property on December 31. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted these entities as part of what the US describes as efforts to disrupt a shadow fleet serving the Venezuelan administration.
Sanctioned Entities and Vessels
The latest sanctions specifically target four oil tankers and their registered ownership companies:
| Sanctioned Vessels: | Details |
|---|---|
| Nord Star: | Oil tanker and registered ownership company |
| Lunar Tide: | Oil tanker and registered ownership company |
| Rosalind: | Oil tanker and registered ownership company |
| Della: | Oil tanker and registered ownership company |
These sanctions are designed to deny the firms and tankers access to any property or financial assets held in the United States. People, banks, and financial institutions that violate these restrictions expose themselves to potential sanctions or enforcement actions.
Broader Military and Intelligence Operations
The sanctions represent just one component of a comprehensive pressure campaign that has expanded beyond economic measures. US forces have seized two oil tankers off Venezuela's coast and are pursuing another vessel. Additionally, the US has conducted a series of strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
A set of strikes announced on December 31 increased the death toll from these attacks to at least 110 people since early September. In a significant escalation marking the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil, the CIA carried out a drone strike at a docking area believed to have been used by drug cartels.
Official Statements and Policy Objectives
"Today's sanctions continue President Trump's pressure campaign on Maduro and his cronies," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement. "The Trump Administration is committed to disrupting the network that props up Maduro and his illegitimate regime."
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the connection between oil revenues and drug trafficking, stating that the United States "will not allow the illegitimate Maduro regime to profit from exporting oil while it floods the United States with deadly drugs."
President Donald Trump has announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of Venezuela. The administration has demanded that Venezuela return assets seized from US oil companies and has accused Maduro's government of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
Continued Enforcement Strategy
The Treasury Department indicated that these measures represent part of an ongoing strategy. "The Treasury Department will continue to implement President Trump's campaign of pressure on Maduro's regime," Bessent said, suggesting additional actions may follow as part of the comprehensive approach targeting Venezuelan oil operations and associated networks.
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