Venezuela’s parliament, dominated by President Nicolás Maduro’s party, unanimously passed a law imposing severe prison sentences of 15 to 20 years and heavy fines on nationals supporting the U.S.-led oil tanker blockade, which Caracas labels as piracy. This new legislation, aimed at countering what Maduro views as an attempt by Washington to oust him and seize Venezuelan oil, follows the U.S. declaration of a “total and complete blockade” on sanctioned oil vessels and the seizure of tankers transporting Venezuelan crude. The law also provides state-sponsored legal protection for commercial operators affected by the blockade.

The escalating tensions stem from U.S. accusations that Maduro’s government finances illicit activities such as drug trafficking and terrorism with oil revenues, claims Maduro denies. Since 2019, Venezuela has faced U.S. oil sanctions that have pushed much of its crude sales to the black market at steep discounts. Opposition figures like Maria Corina Machado support the sanctions and U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean, which Maduro fears aims to destabilize his regime. Meanwhile, Russia has expressed full support for Maduro amid the ongoing geopolitical standoff.