Venezuelan oil starts to reach Israel a month after Maduro’s arrest

Venezuela Resumes Oil Exports to Israel Following U.S. Military Actions

A month after the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela has initiated oil shipments to Israel for the first time in several years, as reported by Bloomberg on Tuesday.

The crude oil is heading to Israel’s largest refiner, Bazan Group, based on information from sources familiar with the situation. This shipment marks the first such transfer since mid-2020, when Venezuela sent approximately 470,000 barrels.

After Maduro’s detention, President Trump stated that the U.S. would essentially “run” Venezuela until a rational political shift occurs. The aim is to tighten control over Venezuela’s oil sector.

Trump mentioned, “One of the benefits the United States will achieve from this is a decrease in energy prices.” He made this statement during a meeting with oil executives at the White House in January.

Before Maduro’s arrest, both Moscow and China were known to exert significant influence over Venezuela’s oil industry, which is crucial for the nation’s crude oil exports, primarily directed toward China in recent years.

In January, President Trump revealed that Venezuela’s interim government plans to export between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. The revenue generated from this will be allocated to purchasing U.S. agricultural products, medical supplies, and improving Venezuela’s energy infrastructure.

Following the governmental changes, the Trump administration urged Interim President Delcy Rodríguez—supported by opposition leader María Colina Machado—to cut economic ties with China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba.

The U.S. military has also intensified operations to block shipments of Venezuelan oil. This includes seizing several tankers suspected of trying to bypass sanctions.