Venezuela’s state oil giant PDVSA says it faced a cyberattack orchestrated by the United States and domestic collaborators, insisting that operations remain intact even as four sources report ongoing system outages that have disrupted oil cargo deliveries.
The claim arrives amid heightened tension between the U.S. and Venezuela, including a substantial U.S. military build-up in the southern Caribbean and U.S. actions against boats suspected of drug trafficking that have reportedly resulted in casualties. Venezuela’s leadership has repeatedly suggested that the U.S. might be aiming to force a regime change to seize the country’s vast oil reserves.
Last week’s tanker seizure—the first U.S. interception of Venezuelan crude since sanctions began in 2019—has already contributed to a sharp drop in oil exports, according to reports.
PDVSA’s statement described the attack as an attempt by foreign interests, aided by domestic entities, to undermine Venezuela’s sovereign energy development and to exercise control over its oil through “force and piracy.” The government did not provide additional technical details about the breach.
The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Independent sources cited by Reuters indicate that the effects were still being felt: one source noted there were no oil cargo deliveries because all systems were down. Others reported that PDVSA had ordered administrative and operational staff to disconnect from the company’s networks and restricted indirect workers’ access to PDVSA facilities.
As always with statements from Venezuela’s government, the country attributes ongoing power outages and other issues to conspiracies by opposition forces and foreign entities, including the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, though no evidence is disclosed.
Reuters reporters:
- The company maintains operations are unaffected, yet multiple insiders describe a continued digital disruption affecting logistics.
References:
- Reports on the cyberattack and its alleged perpetrators
- Coverage of the subsequent tanker seizure and its impact on exports
- Context on U.S.–Venezuela tensions and public statements from officials
- Reuters corroboration from multiple sources on system downtime and responses
