Southern Caribbean & Venezuelan Waters ADVISORY

 

Southern Caribbean & Venezuelan Waters

Subject: Increased U.S.–Venezuela Tensions – Interdiction & Enforcement Risk
Date: 30 December 2025
Validity: Immediate – Ongoing
Risk Level: MEDIUM–HIGH

Tensions between the United States and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela have escalated in recent weeks, with direct implications for maritime navigation in the southern Caribbean Sea.

The United States has intensified naval interdiction, tanker seizures, aerial surveillance, and sanctions enforcement near Venezuelan waters. Venezuela has formally protested these actions, describing them as violations of sovereignty and freedom of navigation, and has raised the issue at the United Nations.

While no formal naval blockade or exclusion zone has been officially declared, de facto enforcement actions are underway, increasing operational and legal risk for commercial shipping.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS (LAST DAYS)

• U.S. authorities have seized at least one oil tanker linked to sanctioned Venezuelan exports and have publicly stated readiness to seize additional vessels.

• Expanded U.S. naval and air presence reported in the southern Caribbean under U.S. Southern Command.

• Confirmed U.S. strike activity against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea.

• Near-miss aviation incidents involving U.S. military aircraft and civilian flights near Curaçao, indicating congested and complex operating conditions.

• Venezuela has issued an official communiqué accusing the U.S. of preparing a naval blockade and violating freedom of navigation.

• International concern expressed at the UN regarding escalation and risk to regional stability.

Mariners should exercise heightened caution in the following areas:

• Gulf of Venezuela

• Northern Venezuelan coast (Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello approaches)

• Sea lanes between Venezuela, Curaçao, Aruba, and Trinidad

• Waters north and northwest of Venezuelan territorial seas

• Approaches used by oil tankers, bulk carriers, and general cargo vessels

Primary risks to commercial vessels include:

• Boarding, inspection, or diversion by U.S. naval forces

• Detention or seizure of vessels suspected of sanction violations

• Increased radio challenges and identification requests

• Elevated military air and surface traffic raising collision risk

• Legal exposure for charterers, owners, and operators

• Sudden changes in enforcement posture without advance notice

No confirmed hostilities between naval forces, but the risk of miscalculation or misidentification is assessed as elevated.

OPERATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Masters and operators are advised to:

• Maintain continuous AIS transmission unless otherwise directed by flag state or company policy

• Ensure cargo documentation, charter party details, and routing justifications are complete and readily available

• Closely monitor NAVAREA warnings, NAVTEX, NOTAMs, and flag-state advisories

• Avoid unnecessary loitering near Venezuelan territorial waters

• Prepare bridge teams for possible radio contact or inspection requests

• Review contingency plans for diversion, delay, or inspection

• Coordinate closely with company security officers (CSO) and insurers

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The situation remains dynamic and fluid. Current indicators suggest a continuation of maritime pressure and enforcement operations, rather than open naval conflict. However, the operational environment can deteriorate rapidly with limited warning.

Mariners should treat the southern Caribbean as a heightened-risk operating area until further notice.

DISCLAIMER

This advisory is based on open-source intelligence (OSINT) and reputable international reporting. It does not replace official navigational warnings, flag-state instructions, or company security procedures.