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U.S. Broadens Venezuela Crackdown With New Oil Sanctions After Iran–Venezuela Arms Designations

The moves tighten a pressure campaign linking Iran–Venezuela weapons networks to efforts to cut off Nicolás Maduro’s oil revenue.

A bronze seal for the Department of the Treasury is shown at the U.S. Treasury building in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2023.  REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Overview

  • On Dec. 31, the Treasury sanctioned four companies and four tankers tied to Venezuela’s oil trade — Nord Star, Lunar Tide, Rosalind and Della — blocking U.S.-jurisdiction assets and warning of risks to the sector’s shadow fleet.
  • The step follows Dec. 30 designations of 10 Iran- and Venezuela-based targets accused of enabling Tehran’s UAV and ballistic missile programs, including Venezuelan assembler EANSA and its chairman José Jesús Urdaneta González.
  • Treasury said EANSA has overseen the acquisition and assembly of Iranian Qods Aviation Mohajer-series drones in Venezuela, with systems rebranded locally and integrated into Venezuela’s armed forces.
  • Iran-based actors were also designated for seeking missile propellant chemicals for Parchin Chemical Industries, alongside firms and individuals linked to Rayan Fan Kav Andish Co.; actions were taken under Executive Orders 13382 and 13949.
  • The latest sanctions coincide with a broader campaign that has seized sanctioned tankers, declared a blockade of sanctioned vessels, and included lethal strikes on alleged drug boats as well as a CIA drone strike on a Venezuelan dock.