U.S. Expands Venezuelan Pressure Campaign As Sanctions Hit Maduro Family, Oil Vessels

The United States expanded its pressure campaign on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by issuing new sanctions targeting vessels and individuals allegedly tied to illicit oil shipments, according to the U.S. Treasury and CNN reporting.

The move came one day after U.S. forces seized a sanctioned tanker off Venezuela’s coast, a ship believed to be carrying nearly two million barrels of crude worth an estimated $84 million.

The Treasury sanctioned six vessels accused of deceptive shipping practices and four individuals, including three nephews of Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores.

U.S. sanctions 3 of Maduro's nephews, 6 oil tankers as Venezuela pressure campaign builds https://t.co/O6l8QeFMZR

— CBS Miami (@CBSMiami) December 12, 2025

The Trump administration says the network enables Maduro to bypass sanctions and funnel revenue into his regime.

Analysts warned the crackdown could disrupt Venezuela’s fragile oil exports, raise shipping costs, and deter tankers from docking in the Caribbean.

US escalates aggression on Venezuela with new wave of sanctions
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The US Treasury announced a new round of sanctions targeting officials and companies linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, with a focus on figures close to his inner circle and businesses tied to the… pic.twitter.com/TLF2X9FNFY

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) December 12, 2025

Maduro called the seizure “naval piracy” and filed a complaint with the International Maritime Organization. Washington signaled that additional seizures are possible in the coming weeks.

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