The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed new sanctions related to Venezuela, targeting four crude oil tankers and four companies, according to Reuters.
Earlier in December, the Treasury announced sanctions against seven individuals linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife as part of efforts to increase pressure on the Venezuelan leadership, which Washington considers a “rogue regime” involved in illicit activities such as drug trafficking and its financing.
The U.S. sanctions extended beyond individuals to include Venezuelan oil shipping and transport companies. A partial maritime blockade was also imposed, targeting sanctioned oil tankers, as part of a broader campaign to restrict the regime’s ability to use energy revenues to support its activities.
These measures have heightened regional tensions, prompting countries like Trinidad and Tobago to announce their readiness to open airports for U.S. logistical support—adding a regional dimension to the conflict between Washington and Caracas. Venezuela has strongly condemned the sanctions, calling them a deliberate attack on its sovereignty.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a “blockade” on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The U.S. has already intercepted several oil tankers off the Venezuelan coast in international waters.