In a significant escalation of pressure on the Maduro regime, former President Donald Trump's threat to impose a "total blockade" on Venezuela is already causing disruption in global oil shipping lanes. Several sanctioned oil tankers have abruptly altered their routes away from the South American nation, according to maritime intelligence data.
Trump's Social Media Ultimatum Sparks Maritime Chaos
On Tuesday, Donald Trump took to social media to issue a stark warning, declaring in capital letters that he was ordering a "total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers" entering or leaving Venezuela. This move directly targets the lifeblood of Nicolas Maduro's government: revenue from the country's vast oil reserves, the largest in the world.
While the precise legal mechanics of such a blockade remain unclear, the threat alone has had an immediate effect. The United States already maintains stringent sanctions, enacted during Trump's first term, which prohibit American entities from purchasing Venezuelan crude without a Treasury Department licence. Furthermore, Washington has sanctioned hundreds of individual vessels themselves.
The Shadow Fleet Goes to Ground
These sanctioned ships form part of a sprawling global "shadow fleet"—often comprised of older vessels—that has grown substantially in recent years. This clandestine network is used to transport oil for nations under US sanctions, including Iran, Russia, and Venezuela. According to the maritime intelligence firm Windward, at least 30 sanctioned vessels were navigating near Venezuelan waters when Trump issued his threat.
Michelle Wiese Bockmann, a senior analyst at Windward, confirmed the disruption. "It’s quite clear that this has disrupted energy flows to and from Venezuela," she said. "Every hour when we’re tracking these vessels, we are seeing tankers that are deviating, loitering or changing their behaviour."
The analysts suggest ships are likely fearing interception and seizure by US forces, following the precedent set last week. American forces captured a sanctioned vessel named the Skipper near Venezuela, demonstrating a willingness to enforce sanctions militarily.
Case Study: The Suspect Journey of the Hyperion
One vessel exemplifying the erratic behaviour is the oil tanker Hyperion. Tracking data shows it was sailing directly towards the Jose port in Venezuela before making a sharp, 90-degree turn early on Wednesday and heading north, away from the mainland.
The Hyperion's history is emblematic of the opaque shadow fleet. It was previously part of Russia's state-owned shipping fleet and was among 173 vessels sanctioned in the final days of the Biden administration for allegedly facilitating Russian oil sales in breach of sanctions related to the Ukraine invasion.
Since being penalised, the tanker has engaged in tactics common to the shadow fleet. It changed its flag registry from the Comoros to Gambia. However, in November, Gambia removed the Hyperion—along with dozens of other ships—from its privately-run registry for allegedly using fraudulent certificates. The vessel's ownership is further obscured through multiple layers of offshore companies, some based in Dubai.
"It’s just screaming that it’s in a position to be seized," remarked Wiese Bockmann about the Hyperion's profile and movements. The vessel's sudden course correction indicates that operators of such ships are heeding Trump's warning, choosing to avoid Venezuelan waters rather than risk confiscation.
The situation underscores the fragile nature of global energy markets and the powerful impact of geopolitical rhetoric. As the US presidential election cycle intensifies, Trump's renewed focus on Venezuela signals a potential return to the maximum-pressure tactics of his first term, with immediate consequences for international shipping and the Maduro government's finances.
