Several Venezuela-Bound Oil Tankers Turn Back Amid U.S Blockade

Many oil tankers have recently turned away from Venezuela as the U.S has threatened to capture the ships carrying oil, which is helping fund the regime of President Nicolas Maduro.

Around 7 ships have reversed their course or stopped at sea, per reports. Additionally, 4 others turned away immediately after U.S forces boarded the vessel Skipper in December.

U.S President Donald Trump has blamed Venezuela for using oil revenue to fund criminal activities, drug trafficking and terrorism.

Hence, Trump launched a campaign in which the U.S has seized two tankers and struck alleged drug trafficking boats, killing over 100 people.

Venezuela has called the U.S action illegal and has also denied the allegations.

The recent U.S attack on a Venezuelan facility allegedly used to move narcotics has heightened the tensions between the two parties.

The U.S. has also put sanctions on 4 Chinese companies and 4 ships which regularly carry Venezuelan crude oil.

The ships are avoiding the Caribbean waters and can carry a total of 12.4 million barrels of crude oil.

Four of the ships changed their route, while the others have halted, per reports.

Ships are not going to Venezuela, and with their tanks filled to the brim, state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA has had to close a few oil wells.

The production in the Orinoco basin, where the majority of the nation’s oil is produced, had plunged to 25% on December 29, 2025, compared with levels recorded in the middle of the month.

On the other hand, Chevron, a U.S oil major, has continued to procure Venezuelan crude oil due to a license it obtained from the U.S. Treasury Department.

Source: Maritime Shipping News