Venezuelan Oil Company Downplays Alleged US Cyberattack

PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil and natural gas company, downplayed the impact of what it described as a major cyberattack, blaming the US government but offering no evidence. In a statement, the company said the attack was a “despicable action orchestrated by foreign interests in complicity with stateless actors” and stressed that its in-house staff helped ensure there were no operational disruptions, limiting the incident to administrative systems.

The firm asserted that operational continuity is maintained through secure protocols for supply and export commitments, and stressed it was not the first time the US had allegedly tried to affect Venezuela’s stability and “steal Christmas.” Reuters reported that multiple sources described considerable disruption to PDVSA, including impacts on cargo loading and the oil export facility, though Bloomberg and other outlets presented a more nuanced account based on conversations with sources close to the incident.

The timing followed US forces seizing a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, an action Venezuelan officials condemned as piracy that has further strained US–Caracas relations. 16 December 2025.