Venezuela Tankers Depart Amid US Blockade

About a dozen tankers loaded with crude oil and fuel have departed from Venezuela's waters in dark mode, seemingly breaking a strict blockade imposed by the United States. All identified vessels are under US sanctions. This movement could provide significant relief for PDVSA (PDVSA), which had accumulated a large inventory of floating storage due to the blockade, bringing the country's oil exports to a standstill. Oil exports are the main source of revenue for Venezuela, crucial for the interim government led by Delcy Rodriguez to finance spending and ensure domestic stability. Donald Trump, the US President, stated that the oil embargo remains in full force, but also mentioned that Venezuela's largest customers, including China, would continue to receive oil. The departures were identified by monitoring service TankerTrackers and confirmed by sources with knowledge of the paperwork, though it remains unclear if they were in direct defiance of US measures.