Venezuelan Tankers Return Amid U.S. Military Actions
Four tankers that departed from Venezuela in early January with their transponders turned off have returned to Venezuelan waters. This development follows a series of U.S. tanker seizures and the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to acquire Venezuelan oil after the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. Reports from Reuters indicate that most of these vessels were loaded upon their return, as confirmed by Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the state-owned oil company, and monitoring service TankerTrackers.com.
Despite a U.S. blockade imposed since mid-December, a flotilla of around a dozen loaded vessels and at least three empty ships managed to leave Venezuelan waters last month. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the complexities surrounding oil transportation amid international sanctions.
Among the vessels, the supertanker M Sophia, flying the Panamanian flag, was intercepted by U.S. forces earlier this week, along with the Olina, which bore the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe. The Olina was seized during a predawn operation and was later released back to Venezuela, according to PDVSA. The U.S. Southern Command confirmed that Marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear executed the mission in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
U.S. Military Operations and Oil Executive Meetings
The U.S. Southern Command emphasized the strength of its operations, stating that apprehensions like the Olina seizure are supported by the full capabilities of the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group. This includes the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale. The command’s Operation Southern Spear aims to combat illicit activities and restore security in the Western Hemisphere.
Three additional vessels from the flotilla—the Panama-flagged Merope, Cook Islands-flagged Min Hang, and Panama-flagged Thalia III—were spotted back in Venezuelan waters late Friday. This return coincides with President Trump hosting nearly two dozen oil executives at the White House to discuss potential investments in Venezuela following the U.S. military’s successful capture of Maduro.
During the meeting, Trump assured the executives of “total safety” and “total security” for their investments in Venezuela. He stated that the country is undergoing significant changes and predicted that the acquisition of Venezuelan oil would lead to substantial economic benefits, including job creation and lower taxes for both Americans and Venezuelans. Trump also announced that Venezuela would be transferring between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the U.S., with plans for the proceeds to be managed to benefit both nations.
This series of events underscores the shifting dynamics in the global oil market and the strategic interests of the U.S. in Venezuela’s oil resources. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military operations and diplomatic efforts shaping the future of Venezuelan oil exports.
