Sanctioned Oil Tankers Flee Venezuela in Defiance of U.S. Blockade [View all]

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Source: New York Times

At least 16 oil tankers hit by U.S. sanctions appear to have made an attempt to evade a major American naval blockade on Venezuela’s energy exports over the last two days, in part by disguising their true locations or turning off their transmission signals.

For weeks, the ships had been spotted on satellite imagery docked in Venezuelan ports, according to an analysis by The New York Times. But by Saturday, in the wake of President Nicholas Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces, all were gone from those locations.

Four have been tracked by satellite sailing east 30 miles from shore, using fake ship names and misrepresenting their positions, a deceptive tactic known as “spoofing.” These four have left port without the interim government’s authorization, according to internal communications from Venezuela’s state-owned oil company and two people in the Venezuelan oil industry, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution. The departures could be seen as an early act of defiance of interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s control.

The other 12 are not broadcasting any signals and have not been located in new imagery.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/world/americas/oil-tankers-venezuela-blockade.html?unlocked_article_code=1.CFA.htOl.AmMNZXlvaLF0&smid=url-share

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By Christiaan Triebert and Anatoly Kurmanaev
Christiaan Triebert reported from New York and Anatoly Kurmanaev from Caracas, Venezuela

Jan. 5, 2026, 3:34 a.m. ET

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