During the weekend, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked about the U.S. government’s potential control over Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Instead of addressing the governance issue, Rubio redirected the conversation towards the enforcement of a U.S. blockade on sanctioned oil tankers. This blockade, initiated by President Donald Trump in December, is intended to serve as a leverage tool to push for policy changes in Venezuela, as mentioned by Rubio on CBS News’ Face the Nation.
The origins and implications of this blockade, its legality, and its effectiveness are subjects worth exploring.
Origins of the Blockade
On December 16, Trump declared via his social media platform Truth Social that Venezuela was encircled by the largest armada in South American history. He announced a comprehensive blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela in response to the regime being labeled a “foreign terrorist organization” for various offenses, including the misappropriation of U.S. assets.
The sanctioned vessels, maintained on a list by the U.S. Treasury Department, numbered over 30 at the time of the announcement, according to Tanker Trackers, an independent tracking service.
These vessels, part of an illicit “shadow fleet,” clandestinely transport crude oil into global supply chains by manipulating their automated identification systems to conceal their locations and evade detection, a practice known as location “spoofing.”
The Treasury Department, in a news release on December 31, highlighted the Maduro regime’s reliance on this shadow fleet for illicit activities and revenue generation.
Blockade or Quarantine?
While Trump referred to the action as a blockade, some officials like Rubio prefer the term “quarantine,” emphasizing its focus on combating illegal activities rather than an act of war. International law views blockades as acts of war, as explained by Andrew Latham, an international relations professor. Latham clarified that this operation is technically a quarantine to target unlawful behavior.
Legal experts argue that vessels without proper flags or those flying false flags are subject to search and seizure, justifying the U.S. actions. However, some critics question the legal basis for the blockade, suggesting it is a selective application of wartime tactics.
Intercepted Vessels
Only two vessels have been intercepted so far, with one seizure occurring before Trump’s blockade announcement. The second interception involved a vessel not on the sanctioned list. U.S. forces plan to intercept the Marinera, formerly known as the Bella 1, another sanctioned oil tanker.
Blockade Evasion
Despite U.S. efforts, around 16 oil tankers under sanctions managed to evade the blockade by concealing their locations or turning off transmission signals. These ships, sanctioned for transporting Iranian and Russian oil, have navigated freely, challenging the effectiveness of the blockade.
Economic Impact on Venezuela
Venezuela heavily relies on oil exports for revenue, primarily through the state-owned company PDVSA. The blockade has halted PDVSA’s oil exports, leading to potential production cuts and economic repercussions. If the blockade persists, it could severely diminish Venezuela’s oil production by over 70% this year, affecting the country’s economy significantly.