Four tankers that left Venezuela in 'dark mode' reportedly return to Venezuelan waters

Four tankers that left Venezuela in early January with their transponders off have reportedly returned to Venezuelan waters, after U.S. forces seized some vessels amid a U.S. push to access Venezuelan oil following Nicolás Maduro's arrest.

Four tankers that departed Venezuela in early January with their automatic identification systems switched off have been reported as returning to Venezuelan waters. The movements happened after a larger flotilla left the country late last month and amid a U.S. blockade that began in mid-December. U.S. authorities have intervened in recent days and Venezuelan state oil company reports and independent trackers have published vessel positions. These developments come as U.S. officials and industry representatives have discussed Venezuelan oil following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. What is known now: - Four tankers that left in early January with transponders off were reported as back in Venezuelan waters, and most of the four were reportedly loaded, according to Reuters, PDVSA and TankerTrackers.com. - U.S. forces seized at least two vessels in recent days; PDVSA reported that one seized vessel was released to Venezuela. - A larger flotilla of about a dozen loaded vessels and several empty ships departed Venezuelan waters last month despite a U.S. blockade imposed since mid-December, and U.S. officials have met with oil company executives about Venezuelan production after Maduro's arrest. Summary: The return of these tankers changes the immediate pattern of vessel movements around Venezuela and follows recent U.S. seizures and diplomatic and military activity. Undetermined at this time.