TankerTrackers.com estimated 17.5 million barrels of crude oil, valued at $900 million, floating on tankers in Venezuela and unable to depart due to the ongoing U.S. blockade, based on visual analysis from shore and space shared in an X post at https://x.com/TankerTrackers/status/2004713684871078162 between 1:45 a.m. and 3:15 a.m. UTC on December 27. The analysis, posted by @TankerTrackers during this 90-minute reporting window, highlights the economic impact of restricted tanker movements amid heightened U.S.-Venezuela tensions. This estimate follows U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker support for B-1B Lancer bombers refueling southeast of the Bahamas between 1:16 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. UTC, as reported by multiple X accounts including @AirAssets and @Flightwatcher1 prior to this window, occurring amid President Donald Trump's confirmation of preparations for strikes on Venezuelan drug-production sites and trafficking routes.
