U.S. Sanctions Four Companies and Tankers for Venezuela Oil Sector Operations

Treasury Department Imposes New Sanctions

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, new sanctions against four companies and four associated oil tankers. These entities are accused of operating in Venezuela's oil sector and engaging in sanctions evasion to benefit the Nicolás Maduro regime. The move is part of the ongoing pressure campaign by the United States to disrupt financial flows to the Venezuelan government.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, 'President Trump has been clear: We will not allow the illegitimate Maduro regime to profit from exporting oil while it floods the United States with deadly drugs.' He added that 'The Treasury Department will continue to implement President Trump's campaign of pressure on Maduro's regime.' State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott further emphasized that the Trump Administration is 'committed to disrupting the network that props up Maduro and his illegitimate regime.'

Targeted Companies and Vessels

The four companies designated for sanctions are:

• Corniola Limited (Zhejiang-based)
• Krape Myrtle Co LTD (Hong Kong-based)
• Winky International Limited (Hong Kong-based)
• Aries Global Investment LTD (Hong Kong-based)

In conjunction with these companies, four oil tankers were identified as blocked property due to their alleged involvement in transporting Venezuelan oil and being part of a 'shadow fleet' used for sanctions evasion. These tankers include:

• NORD STAR
• ROSALIND (also known as LUNAR TIDE)
• DELLA
• VALIANT

These vessels are accused of continuing to provide financial resources that 'fuel Maduro's illegitimate narco-terrorist regime,' according to the Treasury Department.

Impact and Broader Context

The sanctions aim to deny these firms and tankers access to any property or financial assets held within U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. persons and entities are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving them. This action follows previous U.S. measures against Venezuela's state-run oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), which was designated in January 2019 and further blocked in August 2019.

The U.S. government asserts that the Maduro regime increasingly relies on a 'shadow fleet' of vessels to facilitate sanctionable activities, including sanctions evasion, and to generate revenue for its operations. The latest sanctions underscore the U.S. commitment to intensifying economic pressure on the Maduro government, which it accuses of drug trafficking and other illicit activities.