Venezuelan Oil Flows to China Set to Drop Amid U.S. Blockades

China’s imports of Venezuelan oil are expected to fall sharply in February after U.S. blockades disrupted shipments.

The disruption follows a U.S. military operation earlier this month that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Washington has since claimed control of the OPEC member’s oil sector, seizing five vessels and warning ship owners against transporting Venezuelan crude.

Most tankers that left Venezuela in early January have turned back, though three remain en route to Asia carrying about 5 million barrels of fuel oil and heavy crude. That volume is far below the 642,000 barrels per day China imported on average last year, according to internal PDVSA documents.

Reuters reports that China stockpiled Venezuelan oil late in 2025, with an estimated 43–52 million barrels still in transit to Asia.

With the disruption, traders say refiners in China may seek alternative sources such as Canadian oil or Iranian crude in the coming months.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has encouraged American oil companies to invest in reviving Venezuela’s oil industry, though investment interest has so far been cautious.