Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA said it was the target of a cyber attack orchestrated by the US in coordination with domestic conspirators, according to a statement issued on Monday jointly with the country’s oil ministry.
The business said operations were unaffected and that the attack was repulsed by PDVSA personnel.
The incident was described as an assault by “foreign interests in complicity with domestic entities who are seeking to destroy the country’s right to sovereign energy development.”
It said that the incident was part of a larger US campaign to dominate Venezuela’s oil industry by “force and piracy.”
However, four sources familiar with the situation said crucial PDVSA systems remained offline, impacting oil cargo deliveries.
According to one company source, cargo deliveries were halted since all systems were offline.
The statement did not disclose any additional technical information on the purported cyber attack, such as how it was carried out or which systems were attacked.
Conflicting accounts on operational impact
PDVSA and the oil ministry said operations weren’t affected, but sources said to Reuters that disruption continued.
PDVSA issued a directive for both administrative and operational workers to disconnect from the state-controlled oil firm’s systems, according to people familiar with the internal orders.
The sources said access to PDVSA facilities by indirect workers was also limited.
The sources also said these actions have led to oil cargo delays moving across the country.
Rerouting shipments became more complicated due to the ongoing system outages, despite officials repeatedly saying production and exports were running normally.
The government of Venezuela has often blamed opposition figures and foreign actors, including US agencies, for operational issues like blackouts.
It is a blanket speculation, and the latest statement again lacks documentation or proof substantiating the claims.
Escalating US-Venezuela clash
The alleged cyber strike occurs at a time of increased tension between the US and Venezuelan governments.
The battle has involved a large-scale US military deployment in the southern Caribbean, as well as strikes on what Washington refers to as drug trafficking boats.
According to the information provided, around 80 people have died as a result of these strikes.
US President Donald Trump has also indicated that ground operations in Venezuela may begin soon.
Venezuelan officials have accused the United States of attempting regime change to acquire control of the country’s massive oil reserves.
PDVSA portrayed the purported cyber attack as part of an aggressive campaign against Venezuela’s energy sovereignty.
Oil exports already under pressure
The reported disruptions increase the already high pressure on Venezuela’s oil shipments.
A tanker interception last week marked the first time the United States secured a Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were implemented in 2019.
According to the evidence provided, the seizure has already resulted in a significant decrease in Venezuelan oil exports.
The combination of embargo enforcement, cargo seizures, and now alleged cyber meddling has hampered PDVSA’s capacity to transport oil to international markets.
While the corporation claims to have controlled the cyberattack, sources believe the practical repercussions on logistics are still being seen.
For the time being, the disparity between government claims and internal business accounting raises questions about the true operational status of Venezuela’s oil sector, as geopolitical tensions rise.
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