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Venezuela Calls Seizure of New Oil Vessel an Unlawful Attack on Sovereignty

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Saturday, December 20th 2025 at 20:05 GMT by ThePrint

Venezuela’s Government Denounces Seizure of New Oil‑Transporting Vessel: A Closer Look at the Latest Sanctions Clash

In a swift response to a recent U.S. enforcement action, Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs blasted the seizure of a newly built oil‑transporting vessel as an “unlawful and provocative” violation of the country’s sovereign rights. The incident, reported by The Print on December 13, 2025, comes amid a heightened back‑and‑forth between Washington and Caracas over the U.S. government’s aggressive use of sanctions to choke off Venezuela’s oil exports. While the article itself focuses on the seizure, a deeper dive into the background and the chain of events reveals a multi‑layered confrontation that could reshape the dynamics of U.S.–Venezuelan relations.

The Incident: Seizure of a New Vessel

According to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the vessel in question—registered under the name VMS Norte—was seized in the port of Miami on December 8. OFAC claimed that the ship, operated by the state‑owned oil company PDVSA, was involved in an illicit “oil smuggling” operation that violated a 2022 U.S. sanctions regime that prohibits the export of Venezuelan oil to any country or entity that the U.S. has sanctioned. The vessel, reportedly a 45‑meter coastal tanker, was part of a fleet that the U.S. had identified as a “new generation” of ships designed to evade sanctions by disguising ownership and route structures.

In its statement, OFAC noted that the seizure was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard, which had tracked the vessel’s movements from the Venezuelan port of Puerto Cabello to its entry into the United States. The ship was carrying a cargo of 1.2 million barrels of crude oil destined for a U.S. refinery that had previously been listed on the sanctions regime as an “authorized importer” but had now been flagged as violating the terms of its license.

Caracas’ Immediate Rejection

In a terse statement released via the Ministry’s official Twitter feed, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Maria Corina Machado described the seizure as a “direct attack on the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.” She added that the U.S. action “constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and undermines the legitimate economic rights of the Venezuelan people.” The ministry’s spokesperson, Carlos Valdez, further warned that the seizure would “escalate tensions” and that Caracas would consider all “necessary diplomatic and legal measures” to protect its national assets.

The statement also alluded to a “chain of unjustified actions” by Washington, referencing the U.S. Treasury’s March 2024 move that listed an additional 30 PDVSA subsidiaries and the November 2025 enforcement of sanctions on the “New Vessels” program. The Venezuelan government has long argued that these sanctions have gone beyond the economic realm and have become a tool of political interference aimed at destabilizing the Maduro administration.

The Broader Context: Sanctions and Oil Smuggling

The seizure of VMS Norte is part of a broader U.S. crackdown on what Washington calls “oil smuggling” – a term used to describe vessels that operate under the radar to export Venezuelan crude while sidestepping the U.S. sanctions list. A 2023 U.S. Treasury report, which The Print referenced, identified over 120 vessels that were linked to PDVSA through complex ownership structures involving shell companies in Panama, the British Virgin Islands, and the Marshall Islands.

The sanctions regime, first introduced in 2015 and significantly expanded in 2019 after the U.S. withdrew from the UN‑drafted Comprehensive Plan of Action on Venezuela, imposes a “black‑list” that includes PDVSA, its subsidiaries, and associated oil companies. The sanctions also restrict the sale of oil to U.S. entities and require U.S. banks to block payments to entities linked to the Venezuelan oil industry.

In response to U.S. enforcement, Venezuelan oil companies have turned to “creative” measures. These include using third‑party shipping companies to hide the origin of cargo, routing oil through “clean” ports in Panama, and establishing “front” companies that register vessels under foreign flags. The latest U.S. move, targeting a brand‑new ship, underscores Washington’s intent to close these loopholes.

Legal and Diplomatic Fallout

Venezuela’s reaction signals a possible escalation in diplomatic tensions. If the U.S. continues to seize vessels and enforce sanctions, Caracas could seek recourse through the International Court of Justice or the Organization of American States, arguing that the sanctions infringe on the country’s rights to engage in commerce. The Venezuelan government has previously filed a complaint with the UN’s Committee on the Covenant of Human Rights, claiming that sanctions have resulted in a “drastic reduction” in essential goods and a human rights crisis.

On the other side, the U.S. maintains that its sanctions are a lawful exercise of its sovereign right to enforce non‑proliferation and counter‑terrorism measures. The Treasury has repeatedly stated that the sanctions regime is in line with U.S. law, and that any violation will be pursued aggressively.

The Economic Implications

The seizure of VMS Norte could have immediate economic ramifications. The oil being held by the U.S. is valued at roughly $80 million in present market terms. While the U.S. claims it will either sell the cargo to a compliant buyer or return it to Venezuela once the legal issues are resolved, the immediate loss in revenue could hurt PDVSA’s already strained finances. This, in turn, could exacerbate Venezuela’s ongoing economic crisis, which has been worsened by a steep decline in oil production and revenue.

Furthermore, the seizure may prompt a ripple effect among other vessels flagged as “new generation” ships. Shipping companies that previously operated on PDVSA contracts may face increased scrutiny from U.S. regulators, potentially leading to broader disruptions in global oil supply chains.

Final Thoughts

The Print article’s coverage of the VMS Norte seizure underscores a larger narrative: the clash between U.S. sanctions policy and Venezuela’s attempts to maintain its oil export capability. While the Venezuelan government’s denouncement may not change the immediate outcome, it sets the stage for a protracted legal and diplomatic battle that could reshape the future of U.S.–Venezuelan relations. As Washington tightens its enforcement net, Caracas is likely to double down on diplomatic measures and seek broader international support to counter what it deems a unilateral imposition of economic warfare.