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Seven Shadow Fleet Tankers Turn Back in 24 Hours as US Caribbean Blockade Tightens
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At least seven oil tankers linked to Venezuela’s so-called “shadow fleet” reversed course within a single day to avoid interception by US forces operating in the Caribbean, a Pentagon spokesperson said on January 10.
According to the statement, the US blockade targeting illicit oil shipments in the Caribbean Sea remains fully in force and is already forcing sanctioned vessels to abandon their routes rather than risk interdiction.
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“The Department of War blockade in the Caribbean Sea remains in full effect — and very effective. In the past 24 hours alone, at least seven ‘dark fleet’ oil vessels have turned around to avoid interdiction—because they know we mean business,” the spokesperson said.
The official added that the renewed enforcement effort marks a decisive shift in US policy toward illegal oil trafficking networks operating in the Western Hemisphere.
The Department of War blockade in the Caribbean Sea remains in full effect — and very effective. In the past 24 hours alone, at least seven “dark fleet” oil vessels have turned around to avoid interdiction—because they know we mean business.
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) January 10, 2026
The days of letting criminal…
“The days of letting criminal activity run rampant in our hemisphere are OVER, thanks to President Trump and Secretary Hegseth,” the statement continued.
US authorities say the campaign is focused on vessels transporting Venezuelan oil in violation of sanctions, many of which operate under opaque ownership structures, frequently change flags, and disable tracking systems to conceal their movements.
“The Department of War, alongside our interagency partners, will hunt down and interdict ALL dark fleet vessels transporting Venezuelan oil at the time and place of our choosing,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier, reports emerged that more than 15 tankers linked to the transport of sanctioned oil have changed their registration to the Russian flag over the past two weeks.
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