What Does the Oil Tanker Seizure Mean for Venezuela’s Economy? NYT | Top Stories Simon Romero 12 December 2025 at 04:23 Seizures of more tankers could put a stranglehold on Venezuela’s economy, which is exceptionally dependent on oil to keep the government running and pay for basic necessities. © Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York TimesAn oil tanker docked at Cardon Refinery in Venezuela, in 2021.