US vows to intercept "dark fleet" tankers carrying Venezuelan oil

The United States will continue intercepting “dark fleet” oil tankers transporting Venezuelan crude, a Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said on X.

He emphasised that the Pentagon’s blockade of the Caribbean Sea remains fully in force. According to him, at least seven “shadow fleet” oil tankers turned back over the past 24 hours to avoid interception, per Caliber.Az.

“The days of letting criminal activity run rampant in our hemisphere are OVER thanks to President Trump and Secretary Hegseth,” Parnell wrote.

The Pentagon spokesperson added that the department, together with interagency partners, will track down and intercept all “shadow fleet” vessels carrying Venezuelan oil “at any time and in any place at its discretion.”

The campaign intensified dramatically following the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, in a high-profile raid in Caracas. This event triggered a mass exodus of tankers from Venezuelan ports, with at least 16 vessels attempting to flee in early January, many using deceptive tactics like turning off AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals, spoofing locations, or operating without flags.

By Khagan Isayev