Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro has ordered his regime’s small navy to begin escorting vessels carrying oil and petroleum byproducts as they depart Venezuela’s ports. The escorts began late Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning in response to U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s December 16, 2025 announcement of a total blockade targeting all sanctioned oil tankers attempting to enter or exit Venezuelan waters.
Ship-tracking data shows the vessels were transporting urea, petroleum coke, and other oil-based products from the Port of José, destined for Asian markets. The ships are believed to be operating on behalf of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), a state-owned oil and gas company. In a statement, PDVSA asserted that its vessels depart Venezuela “with full security, technical support and operational guarantees in legitimate exercise of their right to free navigation.”
The presence of Venezuelan Navy vessels alongside the tankers has significantly increased the risk of armed confrontation with U.S. naval forces operating throughout the Caribbean region. Venezuela’s naval capabilities are limited, consisting of only one submarine, one frigate, over two dozen patrol boats, and several auxiliary vessels—many of which are decades old and unable to be maintained due to international sanctions imposed on the Maduro regime.
U.S. officials have indicated that the Trump administration is currently considering potential responses to Maduro’s actions. It remains unclear whether PDVSA vessels or other escorted ships fall under U.S. sanctions.
