The recent decision by Donald Trump’s administration to seize the oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, carried out by military forces in the Caribbean under the operation “Southern Spear,” undoubtedly represents a significant and precise blow to the financial resources of Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
Following Trump’s announcement, in which he described the seizure as the largest of its kind, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the vessel was under scrutiny — it is also sanctioned — for being part of an international network involved in the illicit transportation of oil for terrorist organizations (1).
Amid the sanctions imposed on both Maduro’s regime and PDVSA, the Venezuelan dictatorship resorts to all kinds of maneuvers and alliances to evade them and secure funding.
The repercussions of this action — which will surely not be the last — will have a significant impact on finances. Both Trump and Maduro are well aware of its effects.
Impact of the Oil Tanker Seizure
Donald Trump initiated operation “Southern Spear,” aimed at cutting off financing to the Cartel of the Suns, a criminal narcoterrorist organization acting as the operational agent for Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
The massive increase of U.S. military forces in the region — aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and thousands of soldiers — has conducted operations that have already affected narcotrafficking vessels, and now target another source that funds the dictatorship alongside the illegal smuggling of gold and other minerals.
This oil tanker seizure clearly alarms refineries and shipping companies, which will think twice before engaging in business with Venezuela, given the risks involved, as indicated by sources associated with the oil industry.
These sources add that oil companies operating in Venezuela under the anti-blockade law and the Productive Participation Contracts (CPP) — led by Vice President and Minister of Hydrocarbons Delcy Rodriguez and Minister of Industries and National Production Alex Saab — will be highly negatively impacted.
As a reminder, these CPP contracts allow oil companies to be paid in crude oil produced. The threat posed by this and future seizures of oil vessels will make it difficult to market this crude oil obtained as payment. Furthermore, there’s a possibility that they may also face secondary sanctions.
But this is not the only threat; both PDVSA and the mixed companies under the Productive Participation Contracts (CPP) may be forced to cut production.
As crude oil exports decline due to the financial sanction risks — and now also the risk of transportation seizures — this will lead to a rapid closure of wells due to insufficient crude oil storage capacity and limited or impossible marketing.
The Nicolás Maduro regime and its narcotrafficking operator, the Cartel of the Suns, are beginning to see their coffers diminish as the flow of petrodollars ceases and cocaine and other drug sales diminish.
Cooling of Relations
This caution among transporters and insurers will likely extend to the regime’s allies, as sources indicate that former “unconditional” supporters will try to cool their relations with the regime, seeking neutral positions to distance themselves in case of any actions that could lead to Maduro’s downfall.
For instance, Henry Luis Marcó, president of the Venezuelan Chamber of New Entrepreneurs and Exporters (Cavenemex), has chosen to adopt an institutional stance in his dealings with Maduro’s representatives, rather than the close ties previously maintained with Maduro’s criminal enterprise leaders. Appearances alongside Álex Saab and Iranian diplomats are likely in the past.
Furthermore, Henry Marcó Pinto is allegedly being pointed out as a frontman for General Manuel Quevedo, former president of PDVSA and ex-minister of Oil and Mining, under whose shadow he reportedly built his fortune.
Consulted source:
1) Reuters. (December 11, 2025). “Seized tanker was transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran: U.S. Attorney General.” https://es-us.finanzas.yahoo.com/noticias/tanquero-incautado-transportaba-petr%C3%B3leo-sancionado-222157377.html