A group of sanctioned oil tankers attempted a mass breakout through the US naval blockade of Venezuela. At least a dozen ships loaded with crude were involved, with some reportedly turning off tracking systems and spoofing their positions. A satellite image showed three of these tankers—identified as the Veronica III, Aquila II, and Vesna—heading northeast away from Venezuela. These vessels have Chinese owners and managers and were all under US sanctions.

US Enforcement and Recent Developments

The US recently diverted two tankers, the Skipper and Centuries, which are now off the coast of Texas. However, an attempt to stop a third ship, the Marinera, failed last month when its crew refused a boarding team; the vessel has since switched its owner and flag to Russia. Following the capture of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, the country's new leader invited US collaboration, but US officials stated the oil "quarantine" remains in effect as leverage. For sanctioned ships, the US strategy involves obtaining court orders to seize vessels.

Risks and Potential Retaliation

Analysts note that sanctioned vessels face a choice between attempting to run the blockade or risking future boardings in Venezuelan waters. A significant immediate concern raised is potential retaliation against merchant shipping, which may not originate from Venezuela itself. There is a specific warning that Iran, which has historically responded to seizures by hijacking merchant vessels, could choose to do so in the near future.