UPDATE: Venezuela has achieved its ambitious target of producing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day this year, despite escalating pressure from the United States, which recently seized oil tankers linked to Caracas. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced this significant milestone on Telegram, highlighting the resilience of Venezuelan oil workers against “imperialist illegality.”
Rodriguez proclaimed this accomplishment as the “best Christmas gift for Venezuelans,” emphasizing that it reflects the dedication of workers at state oil company PDVSA. She noted that the team is already gearing up to enhance production further, aiming to meet future goals set for 2026.
This announcement comes amid a wave of US actions, including the seizure of the Panama-flagged tanker Centuries on December 12 and another vessel on December 10. US forces have intensified their operations, declaring a “total and complete blockade” on sanctioned oil tankers associated with Venezuela, a move that US President Donald Trump labeled as necessary to combat what he termed a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Venezuela has fiercely condemned the US measures, referring to them as “international piracy.” The Venezuelan government accuses the US of leveraging anti-narcotics efforts as a pretext to destabilize President Nicolas Maduro‘s administration and gain control over Venezuela’s rich oil reserves.
In a powerful statement, Rodriguez declared, “Nothing and no one will stop us,” reaffirming her commitment to support Maduro amid ongoing tensions. The US claims its actions are part of a broader strategy to combat corruption and drug trafficking in the region, while Caracas maintains that these moves violate the human rights of Venezuelans.
As the situation develops, all eyes are on Venezuela’s oil industry and its capacity to navigate external pressures. This latest achievement in oil production highlights the ongoing struggle between Caracas and Washington, with significant implications for both nations and the global oil market.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
