Venezuela’s first oil shipment to Israel after 6 years - Signals shift in global energy trade

Venezuela has sent its first crude oil shipment to Israel in several years, marking a notable development in its oil export strategy as the country reopens energy sales under new political and economic conditions.

According to reports from Bloomberg and other international sources, the oil cargo is being transported to Bazan Group, Israel’s largest crude oil refining company based in Haifa. The shipment is expected to arrive in the coming days, would be the first direct Venezuelan crude delivery to Israel since mid-2020, when roughly 470,000 barrels were received.

This renewed export occurs amid significant changes in Venezuela’s oil sector following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro in early 2026, after which U.S. authorities assumed control over Venezuelan oil sales. The move has led to a reopening of exports to broader markets, with recent cargoes reportedly sold to buyers in India, Spain, the United States—and now Israel.

Historically, Venezuela’s crude exports were heavily oriented toward China and other traditional buyers. Exports to Israel had effectively ceased after relations cooled under previous administrations.