Venezuela’s state-run oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), has confirmed that a cyberattack on PDVSA’s administrative systems caused widespread disruptions, even as the company publicly claimed that oil operations were unaffected. The Venezuela oil cyberattack or PDVSA cyberattack comes at a time of escalating political and military tensions between Caracas and Washington, following recent U.S. actions against Venezuelan oil shipments.
PDVSA announced the incident in a statement on Monday, blaming the attack on the United States and describing it as part of a broader strategy to seize control of Venezuela’s oil resources. However, cybersecurity experts and company sources cited by Reuters have found no evidence linking the PDVSA cyberattack to the U.S. government.
PDVSA Blames US for Cyberattack on Venezuela’s Oil Company
In its statement, PDVSA accused the United States of coordinating the PDVSA cyberattack as part of what it called an aggressive campaign against Venezuela’s energy sovereignty.
“This attempt at aggression adds to the public strategy of the U.S. government to take over Venezuelan oil by force and piracy,” PDVSA said. The company claimed the cyberattack was carried out by foreign interests working with domestic actors to undermine Venezuela’s right to develop its energy sector independently.
Venezuela’s oil ministry echoed these accusations, stating that the attack aligned with U.S. efforts to control the country’s oil through “force and piracy.” Despite these claims, PDVSA provided no technical details about the attack or evidence supporting the allegations.
Ransomware Attack Suspected as PDVSA Systems Go Down
While PDVSA said it had recovered from the cyberattack, multiple sources told Reuters that the PDVSA ransomware attack was far more damaging than officials admitted. According to four sources, the company’s administrative systems remained down, forcing a halt to oil cargo deliveries.
“There’s no delivery of cargoes, all systems are down,” one PDVSA source told Reuters, adding that workers internally described the incident as a ransomware attack.
Sources said PDVSA detected the attack days earlier. In attempting to resolve the issue, antivirus software reportedly disrupted the company’s entire administrative network. As a result, workers were forced to keep handwritten records after systems failed to restart.
Although oil production, refining, and domestic fuel distribution were reportedly unaffected due to PDVSA cyberattack, export logistics were severely disrupted. A shipper involved in Venezuelan oil deals confirmed that all loading instructions for export markets remained suspended.
Oil Exports Impacted as PDVSA Limits System Access
As the Venezuela cyberattack on PDVSA continued, the company reportedly ordered administrative and operational staff to disconnect from internal systems. Access for indirect workers was also restricted, according to sources.
PDVSA’s website remained offline as of Tuesday afternoon, adding to concerns about the scale of the disruption. Despite official claims of recovery, sources said the effects of the cyber incident were ongoing.
PDVSA Cyberattack Follows US Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker
The PDVSA cyberattack occurred just one week after U.S. military forces seized a PDVSA tanker carrying nearly 1.85 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude in the Caribbean. The seizure drew strong condemnation from Cuba, which described it as an act of piracy and a violation of international law.
Cuban officials said the tanker was believed to be transporting oil destined for Cuba, a country that relies heavily on Venezuelan oil supplies. Following the seizure, Reuters reported that Venezuelan oil exports fell sharply, with some tankers turning back due to fears of further U.S. action.
U.S. officials have indicated that more tanker seizures could follow in the coming weeks.
Geopolitical Pressure Intensifies Around Venezuela’s Oil Industry
The PDVSA cyberattack has unfolded amid a broader U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, U.S. strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats, and renewed sanctions targeting Venezuelan shipping and individuals linked to President Nicolás Maduro.
The Venezuelan government maintains that the United States is seeking regime change to gain access to the country’s vast oil reserves. PDVSA, which plays a key role in Venezuela’s financial ties with China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba, remains central to that struggle.
As tensions rise, the PDVSA cyberattack highlights how digital attacks, sanctions, and military pressure are increasingly converging around Venezuela’s oil sector, with significant implications for global energy markets and regional stability.
