Wed Dec 31 23:32:25 UTC 2025: Summary:
On December 31, 2025, the U.S. imposed sanctions on four companies in Venezuela’s oil sector and designated four oil tankers as blocked property, accusing them of supporting President Nicolás Maduro’s government. This is part of a broader Trump administration pressure campaign involving seizing oil tankers, conducting strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, and even a CIA drone strike within Venezuela. The sanctions aim to deny the targeted entities access to U.S. assets and disrupt the network supporting Maduro’s regime. The U.S. accuses Maduro of using oil profits for drug trafficking and other crimes.
News Article:
U.S. Escalates Pressure on Venezuela with New Sanctions and Operations
Washington, January 1, 2026 – The Trump administration intensified its campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday, announcing sanctions against four oil firms and designating four oil tankers as blocked property, according to officials. The U.S. accuses these entities of being part of a “shadow fleet” supporting Maduro’s government.
The sanctions, announced by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, target the ships Nord Star, Lunar Tide, Rosalind, and Della, along with their registered ownership companies. Secretary Scott Bessent stated the U.S. “will not allow the illegitimate Maduro regime to profit from exporting oil while it floods the United States with deadly drugs.”
This move is the latest in a series of escalating actions that include the seizure of two oil tankers off the Venezuelan coast, the pursuit of another, and deadly strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats. U.S. officials report the death toll from these strikes has reached at least 110 since September.
In a significant escalation, the CIA conducted a drone strike on Venezuelan soil last week, targeting a docking area allegedly used by drug cartels.
“Today’s sanctions continue President Trump’s pressure campaign on Maduro and his cronies,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott. “The Trump Administration is committed to disrupting the network that props up Maduro and his illegitimate regime.”
The sanctions aim to deny the targeted firms and tankers access to any property or financial assets held in the U.S. Violators of these restrictions face potential sanctions or enforcement actions. President Trump has also announced a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, demanding the return of assets seized from U.S. oil companies and alleging that Maduro’s government is using oil profits to fund illegal activities.
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