Oil Tankers Change Course Away from Venezuela After Trump Threatens Total Blockade
Oil tankers have started changing course away from Venezuela after Trump threatened a total blockade on sanctioned tankers.
SUMMARY
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a total blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, prompting some tankers to change course out of fear of seizure, escalating the U.S. pressure campaign on Nicolás Maduro's government.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Trump announces a total and comprehensive blockade on sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela.
- Some oil tankers have started changing course to avoid sanctions and seizure.
- Windward monitors over 30 sanctioned ships near Venezuela.
- Escalating U.S. pressure threatens Venezuela's oil revenues and disrupts energy flows.
CORE SUBJECT
Impact of U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil tankers and their routes
Some oil tankers have begun changing their course away from Venezuela after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a "blockade" on sanctioned tankers entering or leaving the South American country, in a dramatic escalation of the White House's pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro.
On Tuesday, Trump announced via social media, in capital letters, that he had ordered a "total and comprehensive blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers" to and from Venezuela, a move that threatens to cut off revenues from the world's largest oil reserves, which are a key pillar of Maduro's grip on power.
It is not yet clear exactly what Trump meant by his threats, as U.S. sanctions adopted during his first term make it illegal for Americans to purchase Venezuelan crude without a license from the Treasury Department.
Additionally, sanctions have been imposed on hundreds of ships themselves, which are part of a massive "shadow fleet" mostly consisting of decrepit vessels that have proliferated in recent years to transport oil on behalf of Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and other U.S.-sanctioned adversaries.
According to Windward, a maritime intelligence company that assists U.S. officials in targeting the shadow fleet, there are at least 30 sanctioned ships sailing near Venezuela. Some of these vessels have already started changing course, possibly out of fear of facing the fate of the "Skipper" ship, a sanctioned tanker seized by U.S. forces last week near Venezuela.
Michelle Bookman, senior analyst at Windward, said, "It is completely clear that this has disrupted energy flows to and from Venezuela. Every hour we track these ships, we see tankers deviating from their course, slowing down, or changing their navigational behavior."
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 5
Donald Trump
👤 Person_MaleU.S. President who threatened to impose a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers
Nicolás Maduro
👤 Person_MalePresident of Venezuela targeted by U.S. sanctions
Windward
🏛️ OrganizationMaritime intelligence company assisting in targeting the shadow fleet
Venezuela
📍 Location_CountrySouth American country targeted by U.S. sanctions
Skipper
OtherSanctioned oil tanker seized by U.S. forces near Venezuela
NOTABLE QUOTES 1
"It is completely clear that this has disrupted energy flows to and from Venezuela. Every hour we track these ships, we see tankers deviating from their course, slowing down, or changing their navigational behavior."
Context: Senior analyst at Windward commenting on the impact of sanctions on oil tanker movements