The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday sanctioned four companies that operate in Venezuela's oil sector and blocked four oil tankers accused of helping finance leader Nicolas Maduro's regime.
The office said the companies and vessels are part of what is known as a shadow fleet used to transport Venezuelan oil, evade U.S. sanctions, and generate revenue for what it described as Maduro's "illegitimate narco-terrorist regime."
"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," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
He added that the department will continue to pressure the Maduro regime.
The action targets Corniola Limited and Krape Myrtle Co. Ltd., linked to the tanker Nord Star; Winky International Ltd., associated with the tanker Rosalind, also known as Lunar Tide; and Aries Global Investment Ltd., connected to the tankers Della and Valitant.
All were designated under an executive order for operating in Venezuela's oil sector.
"The Trump Administration is also blocking four associated oil tankers, part of a shadow fleet that funds Nicolas Maduro's illegitimate, corrupt regime and allows Maduro and his cronies to evade sanctions," said Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department, in a news release.
"Today, the United States is sanctioning four entities for illegally operating in Venezuela's oil sector. Today's sanctions continue President Trump's pressure campaign on Maduro and his cronies. The Trump Administration is committed to disrupting the network that props up Maduro and his illegitimate regime."
As a result, all property and interests of the sanctioned entities and vessels within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and Americans are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving them.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control warned that foreign companies and financial institutions could also face penalties for engaging with sanctioned parties.
The sanctions build on earlier actions against Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA and follow further designations announced in December targeting Maduro-linked officials, companies, and vessels.