In a significant escalation of tensions, President Donald Trump has ordered a naval blockade to prevent sanctioned oil tankers from entering or leaving Venezuela. This move intensifies the U.S. campaign to cut off revenue to the government of Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and its government is critically dependent on oil export revenue. U.S. sanctions targeting the state-run oil company PDVSA have severely constrained these exports, pushing Caracas to increasingly rely on a clandestine network of vessels—often called a “ghost fleet”—to ship its oil.
This covert maritime operation is designed to obscure the origin, destination, and ownership of cargo, allowing Venezuela to bypass international sanctions. The new U.S. blockade represents a direct challenge to this shadowy trade.
Given the critical role of this “ghost fleet” in the current crisis, what exactly are these vessels, and how do they operate?
I hope this revised version meets your needs. If you would like to adjust the tone, focus more on the mechanics of the ghost fleet, or explore any other angle, please let me know.
By James Kisoo
