Several oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude and fuel have quietly left the country’s waters in recent days, appearing to breach the U.S. blockade imposed amid escalating tensions that culminated in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The vessels reportedly departed in “dark mode,” disabling their tracking systems to conceal their movements, according to TankerTrackers.com.
Sanctioned Vessels Depart in Secret
The monitoring service reported that around a dozen tankers under U.S. sanctions had left Venezuelan ports loaded with oil or fuel. Another group of sanctioned ships also departed empty after unloading imports or completing domestic transfers. Satellite images indicated that at least four of the departing vessels exited Venezuelan waters through a route north of Margarita Island after pausing near the maritime border.
A source familiar with the documentation told Reuters that at least four supertankers had received clearance from Venezuelan authorities to leave in dark mode. It remains unclear whether the departures occurred with the knowledge or approval of Washington.
The movements mark the first signs of renewed oil activity since the U.S. blockade began last month, which had effectively paralysed Venezuela’s exports and trapped large quantities of crude in floating storage.
PDVSA Seeks Lifeline Amid Sanctions
The departures could bring temporary relief to Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA, which has struggled to maintain operations and revenue under the blockade. Oil exports are the country’s primary source of foreign income, essential for stabilising its economy and funding government programmes.
The interim government led by acting president and oil minister Delcy Rodriguez is now tasked with restoring economic functionality after the U.S. military operation that removed Maduro from power. Observers say Rodriguez will likely rely on oil revenues to sustain domestic stability and to signal continuity in Venezuela’s export commitments.
Ambiguity Over U.S. Embargo Enforcement
U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that an “oil embargo” on Venezuela remained fully in force, describing it as part of Washington’s strategy to reshape the country’s energy sector. However, he also hinted that major buyers such as China might continue to receive Venezuelan oil under transitional arrangements.
It remains uncertain whether the tankers’ movements represent a deliberate challenge to U.S. measures or a negotiated exception designed to prevent further disruption in global energy flows.
The apparent resumption of crude shipments highlights the complexity of enforcing sanctions on one of the world’s most oil-rich nations and underscores the delicate balance the interim Venezuelan administration must maintain between asserting sovereignty and navigating international constraints.
with inputs from Reuters
