Venezuela Criminalizes Acts Disrupting Trade Amid Tensions with US

Venezuela’s parliament has passed a new law criminalizing acts such as piracy, blockades and the seizure of oil tankers that could disrupt trade, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison. The move follows recent US seizures of Venezuelan oil tankers and comes amid rising tensions between Caracas and Washington, which clashed over the issue at an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

Lawmakers in Venezuela on Tuesday approved new legislation that significantly broadens the scope of criminal offenses related to actions seen as obstructing trade and commercial activity in the country. The law specifically targets activities such as the seizure of oil tankers and other actions that could disrupt Venezuela’s economic lifelines, particularly its vital oil exports.
According to the amended legislation, individuals or groups who promote, request, support, finance or directly participate in what are described as “acts of piracy, blockades or other international illegal acts” against commercial entities operating in Venezuela may face severe legal consequences. These include heavy financial penalties as well as prison sentences of up to 20 years, underscoring the government’s intent to deter actions it views as threats to national sovereignty and economic stability.
The bill was introduced, debated and passed within a relatively short period of two months. Its passage follows the recent seizure by US forces of two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil in international waters earlier this month, an action that Caracas has strongly condemned as unlawful and politically motivated.
Beyond criminalizing such actions, the new law mandates Venezuela’s executive branch to establish “incentives and mechanisms for economic, commercial and other protections” for both domestic and foreign companies conducting business in the country. These measures are intended to shield businesses from losses arising from piracy incidents, maritime blockades or other unlawful acts that could interfere with trade and investment.
Although the National Assembly has endorsed the bill, it will only become legally binding once it receives formal approval from President Nicolas Maduro.
The legislation comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States. Caracas had previously called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address what it described as growing US aggression. During the meeting, Venezuela’s ambassador to the UN, Samuel Moncada, accused Washington of acting “outside international law.”
Moncada questioned the legality of the tanker seizures, asking what right the United States had to appropriate nearly four million barrels of Venezuelan oil, referring to the cargo aboard the two vessels that were intercepted.
He further described the alleged naval blockade as a military operation designed to place Venezuela under siege, arguing that it was aimed at provoking internal chaos in order to pave the way for external aggression against the country.
Several nations participating in the Security Council session voiced concerns about potential violations of international maritime law. China and Russia strongly criticized the United States, accusing it of “bullying” and “cowboy-like conduct” toward Venezuela. Meanwhile, a smaller group of countries, including Panama and Argentina, expressed support for the US position during the heated debate.
The seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers marks the latest measure used by the administration of US President Donald Trump to intensify pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
At the UN meeting, US representatives said Washington would impose sanctions to the fullest extent possible to cut off resources that it alleges Maduro uses to finance the Cartel de Los Soles. Addressing the 15-member Security Council, US envoy Mike Waltz stated that Maduro’s ability to sell Venezuelan oil underpins what the United States describes as his illegitimate hold on power and his involvement in narco-terrorist activities.