The U.S. government’s potential control of Venezuela post the capture of President Nicolás Maduro was queried over the weekend. In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio redirected the discussion to the U.S.-imposed blockade on sanctioned oil tankers as a strategic tool for pushing policy changes in Venezuela. This blockade, introduced by President Donald Trump in December, is crucial in the context of managing Venezuela, as highlighted by Rubio during an appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation.
The blockade was officially announced by Trump on December 16, emphasizing that all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela would face a comprehensive blockade. This action was a direct response to Venezuela being labeled a “foreign terrorist organization” due to various offenses, including the theft of U.S. assets, terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. The sanctioned vessels, listed by the U.S. Treasury Department, include over 30 ships identified by independent tracking services as part of an illicit “shadow fleet” involved in illegal crude oil transportation globally.
While Trump referred to the measure as a blockade, some officials, like Rubio, prefer to term it a “quarantine” targeting unlawful activities to avoid the legal implications of an actual blockade, which is considered an act of war under international law. This distinction is crucial as a full blockade entails a wartime naval operation to block enemy state access, while the current operation focuses on enforcement against illegal activities.
The legality of the quarantine allows for the search and seizure of vessels not complying with flag regulations. While two ships have been intercepted so far, the legal basis for seizing sanctioned vessels posing as stateless or claiming dual-state affiliations has been debated. The impact of the blockade on Venezuela’s economy is significant, with oil exports, the primary revenue source, coming to a standstill due to the blockade, potentially leading to substantial production cuts and economic repercussions if the blockade persists.
Despite efforts to evade the blockade, reports indicate that several sanctioned vessels have managed to circumvent the restrictions, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the enforcement. The ongoing situation highlights the intricate legal and economic implications of the blockade on Venezuela’s oil industry and broader economy.
