A massive oil tanker laden with Venezuelan crude made a hasty return to Venezuelan waters on Tuesday, following a series of U.S. interceptions of vessels in the Caribbean.
According to maritime tracking service TankerTrackers.com, as reported by Reuters, the Panama-flagged vessel Kelly had set sail from Venezuela last week alongside another tanker, the Centuries. Both ships were being escorted by the Venezuelan Navy.
Currently, the Kelly is back in proximity to the port of Amuay in Falcón state, where the state-run oil company PDVSA operates a refinery, based on tracking data.
The U.S. Coast Guard halted the Centuries on Saturday, which was carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Merey heavy crude, and is in pursuit of another empty vessel heading towards OPEC member nation Venezuela.
Over a dozen loaded ships remain stationed in Venezuelan waters, awaiting further directives after the U.S. seized the supertanker Skipper in early December.
Subsequent interceptions included the Centuries and the Bella-1, the latter being linked to Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises, which has ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
These actions align with the recent intensification of measures announced by U.S. President Donald Trump last week, who has implemented a "blockade" on all sanctioned vessels entering or exiting Venezuela, in an effort to exert increased pressure on Nicolás Maduro.
Additionally, Guyana's maritime authority disclosed that at least one vessel was operating under a false Guyanese flag, while Panama's Foreign Minister indicated that some of the detained tankers failed to comply with the country's maritime regulations.
Understanding the U.S. Blockade on Venezuelan Shipping
Why did the Kelly tanker return to Venezuela?
The Kelly tanker returned to Venezuelan waters due to concerns over potential interception by the United States following recent vessel seizures in the Caribbean.
What measures has the U.S. taken against Venezuelan oil shipments?
The United States, under President Donald Trump's directive, has imposed a blockade on sanctioned ships entering or leaving Venezuela to increase pressure on Nicolás Maduro's regime.
How has the Venezuelan Navy responded to U.S. actions?
The Venezuelan Navy has been escorting tankers like the Kelly and Centuries as they attempt to navigate the heightened tensions in the Caribbean.