Written by: La Tabla/Data Journalism Platform 11 DEC 2025
In an unprecedented escalation of pressure against Nicolás Maduro’s government, the United States has initiated actions that effectively establish a naval blockade on Venezuelan crude oil exports.
This strategy unfolded in two consecutive blows: the military seizure of a ship off the coast of Venezuela, followed the next day by sanctions aimed at dismantling the largest fleet serving PDVSA.
On December 10, U.S. special forces boarded and confiscated the tanker Skipper, a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) carrying about 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey heavy crude oil.
President Donald Trump described the operation as the seizure of “the largest tanker ever confiscated.” The following day, the Treasury Department sanctioned six shipping companies and their six VLCC vessels, all for transporting Venezuelan crude oil.
The Largest Vessels
The actions are deliberately targeting the biggest vessels in the market. The six sanctioned tankers on Thursday — White Crane, Kiara M, H Constance, Lattafa, Tamia, and Monique — are VLCCs capable of carrying about 2 million barrels of oil.
Together with the Skipper, these ships make up a significant portion of the large-capacity fleet available to Caracas.
An analysis from the tracking service TankerTrackers indicates there are currently 37 tankers sanctioned by OFAC in Venezuela, all potentially subject to similar actions.
Modus Operandi and Justification
The operation against the Skipper reveals the methodology used. The ship was boarded by teams who rappelled from helicopters.
U.S. authorities justify these actions by claiming the ship was a “blocked asset” since 2022 for being part of a network that finances terrorism. The White House stated that the seized oil “will be confiscated.”
Reactions and Consequences
· Venezuela condemned the seizure as “outright theft” and an “act of international piracy,” accusing the U.S. of a deliberate plan to seize its energy resources.
· Industry experts suggest the aim is to deter buyers and shipowners, thereby reducing Maduro’s government’s income. This measure has already led to a spike in oil prices.
· The Venezuelan opposition, through leader María Corina Machado, has supported the efforts to cut off the regime’s financial flows, aligning with the logic of the sanctions.
The message is clear: Washington is prepared to use its naval and financial power to intercept, seize, and sanction the vessels that maintain the flow of Venezuelan oil to the global market, marking what appears to be the most severe blockade of the country’s main source of income.