Putin empowers six ‘dark mode’ oil tankers as they return to Venezuela despite Trump blockade threat

Six oil tankers that quietly left Venezuela in early January have now returned to its waters, raising fresh questions over U.S. enforcement of sanctions and Moscow’s response. The vessels had reportedly sailed with transponders switched off amid President Trump’s strict embargo that halted Venezuelan oil exports. Some ships were intercepted, including one seized and another later released by U.S. authorities. The developments come as tensions spike between Washington and Moscow, with Russia warning of military escalation and senior officials issuing nuclear threats. Moscow has also intensified strikes in Ukraine, fueling fears that the tanker standoff is part of a wider, increasingly volatile geopolitical confrontation.