Venezuela’s Oil Exports Hit 17-Month Low in December 2025 Amid Export Constraints

Venezuela’s oil exports declined sharply in December 2025, recording their lowest level in nearly 17 months. A significant portion of the cargo loaded onto tankers at the country’s ports failed to depart due to ongoing export disruptions. According to available data, vessels were loaded at a rate of 423,000 barrels per day during the month. However, only approximately half of the cargo managed to exit Venezuelan waters.

The bottleneck in export operations has been attributed to a reported US naval blockade, which has restricted the movement of oil tankers. The resulting delay in shipments has created a backlog at key export facilities and raised concerns over the pace of Venezuela’s ability to deliver crude to international markets. While the full extent of the disruption remains unclear, the data underscores a marked decline in the country’s export capacity.

The situation has created logistical challenges for both state-controlled and independent shipping operators. Normally, once tankers are loaded, they depart within a short window to ensure timely delivery to buyers. The prolonged delays suggest that the export process has become increasingly unpredictable, with a portion of the cargo still held in port or within the country.

This decline in exports comes at a critical time for Venezuela’s energy sector, which has been working to stabilize production and regain access to global markets. Reduced export levels have the potential to affect revenue inflows and could limit the government’s ability to fund key economic programs. The current trend also highlights the vulnerability of the oil sector to external factors beyond domestic production capabilities.

The data points to a systemic issue in the final phase of the export chain. While loading operations have proceeded at a steady rate, the failure to complete the export process has led to a significant underperformance in total volumes shipped. This pattern suggests that the bottleneck is not related to production or loading facilities but rather to the movement of fully loaded tankers beyond Venezuelan territorial waters.

Efforts to assess and mitigate the disruption are ongoing. However, the current situation reflects a broader challenge in ensuring consistent and reliable access to international shipping lanes. Without a resolution to the export constraints, the sector may continue to face volatility in its external sales.

The figures from December 2025 offer a snapshot of the operational challenges facing Venezuela’s oil industry. While the country has the capacity to load large volumes of crude, the inability to complete the export process has led to a substantial drop in actual shipments. The gap between loaded and departed cargo remains a key area of concern for market observers.