Venezuela Defies US Blockade: Oil Tankers Still Arriving, Data Shows

• Oil tankers continue to arrive in Venezuela despite a US blockade, with data showing recent arrivals and others en route.
• State-run PDVSA is expanding floating storage and maintaining crude sales amidst US pressure, which has halved exports this month.
• The US has seized Venezuelan oil cargoes and patrols the Caribbean, deterring many vessel owners, but some sanctioned and unsanctioned ships persist.
• Venezuela uses oil for debt service to China, with two approaching vessels part of this arrangement.
• A cyberattack slowed PDVSA operations, leading to 16 million barrels of oil stuck in undeparted tankers near Jose port.

Why It Matters: Venezuela continues oil exports and storage expansion despite US blockade and operational challenges.