On December 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against three nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a businessman linked to Maduro, and six shipping companies involved in Venezuela’s oil sector. The sanctions also targeted six vessels allegedly engaged in deceptive shipping practices that purportedly support Maduro’s regime, which has faced accusations of narco-terrorism.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that these sanctions aim to counteract the flow of drugs from Venezuela into the United States, which he claims harm American citizens. He described the sanctions as a response to previous unsuccessful negotiations with Maduro by the Biden Administration. Similar measures were enacted under the Trump administration to hold Maduro and his associates accountable.

Two of the sanctioned individuals, Efrain Antonio Campo Flores and Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas, known as the 'narco-nephews,' were arrested in 2015 while attempting to transport cocaine to the U.S. They were convicted on drug trafficking charges but received clemency from President Biden in 2022. Following their return to Venezuela, they reportedly resumed drug trafficking activities. The third individual, Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, previously served as Venezuela's national treasurer and was involved with the state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA).

In a related development, the U.S. military conducted strikes on a Venezuelan drug boat on September 2, which has come under scrutiny. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the follow-up attack on two survivors, stating it adhered to established protocols. However, opinions diverge among lawmakers regarding the legality and ethical implications of targeting survivors, with some suggesting it could be classified as a war crime.

Additionally, the U.S. intercepted the oil supertanker Skipper near Venezuela, reportedly carrying approximately 1.85 million barrels of Venezuela's Merey heavy crude. The vessel is now en route to Houston, although it will need to transfer its cargo to smaller ships offshore due to its size. This seizure marks a significant escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, with indications that the U.S. plans to intercept more ships transporting Venezuelan oil.

The U.S. government has also announced plans to intensify its targeting of oil tankers in the region, part of a broader initiative to dismantle the so-called shadow fleet that allows countries like Venezuela, Russia, and Iran to engage in the global oil market despite sanctions. The shadow fleet consists of vessels with unclear ownership, often registered under flags of convenience, and lacking standard insurance. These ships frequently alter their names and navigation data to evade detection.

The emergence of the shadow fleet has gained attention since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which prompted international sanctions aimed at limiting the Kremlin's energy revenue. Analysts estimate that shadow vessels now constitute approximately 20 percent of the global oil fleet, creating a parallel energy market that poses economic challenges to sanctioned nations while raising environmental concerns due to potential oil spills from poorly maintained ships.

As the U.S. continues its military and economic actions in Venezuela, concerns remain regarding the humanitarian implications of these strategies, particularly in a nation already facing significant social and economic challenges.