Caracas | Prime Headlines:
Venezuela’s oil exports have come to a complete standstill, with crude shipments frozen and tankers stranded at ports, following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and fresh U.S. actions targeting the country’s energy trade.
According to shipping data and industry sources, no sail orders have been issued from major Venezuelan oil terminals, effectively blocking crude exports. The halt follows a U.S.-led tanker blockade, which analysts describe as a de facto oil embargo.
Data from TankerTrackers showed zero loading activity at the key Jose oil terminal on Saturday. Several tankers already loaded with crude and bound for the United States and Asia remain stuck at port, while other vessels reportedly left empty.
Even shipments linked to Chevron’s operations with state oil firm PDVSA have been affected, signaling a broad freeze rather than targeted disruptions.
Industry insiders warn that if the shutdown continues, Venezuela may be forced to cut oil production, as storage tanks fill up and floating storage reaches capacity. This could further damage an oil sector that was already struggling with low output and years of sanctions.
The export freeze comes amid political uncertainty, as the United States moves to manage a transition process following Maduro’s detention. Analysts say the situation highlights how quickly political developments can choke off energy flows, effectively “turning off the taps” in one of the world’s largest oil reserve holders.
There has been no official response yet from PDVSA or Venezuelan port authorities.
