Maritime Law and Geopolitics: Venezuela new anti-piracy Law under USA sanction pressure rising tensions in the Caribbean

Recently, on 23rd December 2025, the Venezuela national assembly passed the anti-piracy and anti-blockade law in an extraordinary session. The bill was approved unanimously and now awaits signature and publication to take effect. As per new law that imposes up to 20 years in prison on individuals which would promote, finance, or participate in piracy, blockades, and other international illicit acts against Venezuelan commerce and navigation.

The move comes at a time of escalating maritime tensions between USA and Venezuela. Recently in last two months USA has taken several actions against Venezuelan oil shipments, including multiple tanker seizures and an announced blockade of sanctioned vessels.

Understanding Law that was approved

The law is officially called as “Law to Guarantee Freedom of Navigation and Commerce Against Piracy, Blockades, and Other International Illicit Acts.”

The law also criminalizes multiple international actions that aims to disrupt Venezuela’s maritime trade and economic stability.

The law was introduced after the heightened U.S.–Venezuela tensions over oil exports:

• In December 2025, the United States Coast Guard seized three oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea, which were carrying Venezuelan crude for exports.

• Washington declared a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan ports/ water.

• The penalization is up to Up to 20 years in prison for violations under the new Venezuelan law.

International Reactions

Reactions to Venezuela’s law and the broader dispute vary:

• Venezuela and its allies accuse Washington of undermining international law and economic sovereignty.

• Many countries and organizations have expressed concern about violation of freedom of navigation guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Impact of above sanctions

• This could reduce the supply of crude oil and can impact the price of crude per barrel.

• Alliances and geopolitical alignments —

  This might create two types of alliance one with USA and one facing USA sanctions like – China, Russia, Venezuela etc.

Venezuela’s new law against piracy and blockades creates a situation when the maritime law, national sovereignty, and geopolitical conflict intersect. As global freight and energy markets moves ahead these uncharted legal waters, the outcomes will impact not just Venezuelan trade definition  about how nations define and respond to perceived threats at sea.

Image credit - AI