Venezuelan authorities have formally confirmed the departure of a United States oil company vessel from their waters, framing the event as a demonstration of regulatory compliance amid escalating maritime tensions. Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez utilized Telegram to announce the ship’s exit, characterizing the move as “conducted in strict adherence to established regulations while fulfilling commitments undertaken by our national oil industry.”
Rodríguez further articulated Venezuela’s diplomatic stance, asserting the nation’s continued respect for both domestic and international legal frameworks. “Our homeland remains unwavering in its journey toward progress and victory, undeterred by external challenges,” she declared in her official statement.
This position was reinforced by Héctor Obregón, President of state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), who posted on Instagram that the vessel’s departure complied meticulously with “all national and international regulations.” Obregón elaborated that the shipment aligns with production and marketing agreements established within Venezuela’s energy sector, stating it “exemplifies PDVSA’s dedication to implementing a sovereign, lawful, and responsible energy policy on the global stage.”
The announcements follow serious allegations made by the Bolivarian government last week regarding what it termed the “theft and hijacking” of a second private vessel transporting Venezuelan oil. Officials reported that US military personnel intercepted the ship in international waters, resulting in the enforced disappearance of its crew—an act condemned as modern-day piracy.
In an official communiqué, Venezuela characterized the interception as a “blatant violation” of the 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, specifically citing Article 3. The statement additionally accused the United States of breaching Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, which governs the principle of sovereign equality among nations.