At a Glance
- US sanctions four Venezuelan oil firms and four tankers.
- The move blocks their U.S. assets.
- It is part of Trump‘s pressure campaign on Maduro.
- Why it matters: It expands U.S. pressure and could limit Maduro’s oil revenue.
The United States announced Wednesday new sanctions that target four Venezuelan oil firms and four tankers, broadening a campaign aimed at curbing President Nicolás Maduro’s ability to profit from oil exports.
Sanctions Targeted Firms and Tankers
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control listed the tankers Nord Star, Lunar Tide, Rosalind, and Della, along with their registered ownership companies.
- Nord Star
- Lunar Tide
- Rosalind
- Della
Broader U.S. Pressure Campaign
The sanctions are part of a broader effort that includes seizing two oil tankers off Venezuela’s coast, pursuing another, and striking alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
- Seized two oil tankers
- Pursuing one additional tanker
- Strikes on drug-smuggling boats
Official Statements
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated:
> “Today’s sanctions continue President Trump‘s pressure campaign on Maduro and his cronies.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said:
> “The United States will not allow the illegitimate Maduro regime to profit from exporting oil while it floods the United States with deadly drugs.”
President Donald Trump announced a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of Venezuela.
Key Takeaways
- US sanctions four Venezuelan oil firms and four tankers, blocking their U.S. assets.
- The move is part of a broader campaign that includes seizures and military strikes.
- The sanctions aim to curb Maduro’s oil revenue and limit drug trafficking funding.
These sanctions mark a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to undermine Maduro’s regime, potentially cutting off a key source of illicit funding.
