The "ghost fleet" of Maduro falls: the U.S. sanctions companies and ships that transport Venezuelan crude

United States imposed new sanctions against four companies that it accuses of operating in Venezuela's oil sector and participating in sanction evasion schemes related to the trading of crude oil from the government of Nicolás Maduro.

In addition, it identified four oil tankers associated as blocked property, reported the Department of the Treasury through OFAC.

The measure, announced this Wednesday, December 31, 2025, is part of —according to the Treasury itself— the campaign of pressure from the administration of Donald Trump on Maduro, in a context where Washington maintains that Venezuelan oil trade continues to generate resources for the regime.

According to the official communication cited in the document, OFAC sanctioned:

• Corniola Limited and Krape Myrtle Co LTD, linked to the oil tanker NORD STAR (IMO: 9323596), accused of transporting Venezuelan oil.
• Winky International Limited, associated with the tanker ROSALIND, also known as LUNAR TIDE (IMO: 9277735), also noted for transporting Venezuelan oil.
• Aries Global Investment LTD, linked to the oil tanker DELLA (IMO: 9227479) —described as a transporter of Venezuelan crude— and also to the vessel VALIANT (IMO: 9409247), identified as property blocked due to the involvement of that company.

In the report, it is mentioned that some of these tankers would be part of the so-called "shadow fleet" or "ghost fleet," a term used to describe vessels with opaque ownership and conditions that facilitate the movement of oil subject to sanctions.

The Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, stated that the U.S. will not allow the “illegitimate regime” of Maduro to benefit from oil exports, and that the Department will continue to implement the pressure campaign against Caracas, according to the statement reproduced in the document.

The Treasury also warned that those involved in the trade of Venezuelan oil “continue to face significant risks” of sanctions.

According to the OFAC's explanation, with this designation all property and interests in the assets of the designated entities that are located in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked, and transactions with them are prohibited unless authorized by general or specific licenses.

The document also reminds that non-compliance may lead to civil or criminal penalties and that third parties may be subject to sanctions if they engage in certain transactions with the designated individuals.

At the beginning of the month, Washington had already sanctioned other oil tankers related to Venezuela, and the pressure strategy included actions to hinder the movement of Venezuelan crude, which —according to the report— contributed to a reduction in exports during the month.