The Trump administration added four companies and four ships with ties to Venezuela's oil industry to its sanctions list, in a move to increase pressure on Nicolás Maduro's regime.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Department of the Treasury sanctioned on Wednesday Aries Global Investment LTD, Corniola Limited, Krape Myrtle Co LTD, and Winky International Limited for operating in Venezuela's oil sector. The action also blocked four ships: Della, Nord Star, Rosalind, and Valiant.

"President Trump has been clear: we will not allow Maduro's illegitimate regime to profit from oil exports while flooding the United States with deadly drugs," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement.

The sanctions represent the latest effort in Trump's campaign against Maduro for alleged drug trafficking operations. On Tuesday, the Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and companies based in Iran and Venezuela for alleged arms trading.

The U.S. recently launched attacks against vessels suspected of drug trafficking near the coast of Venezuela and implemented a blockade of sanctioned tankers to disrupt the country's energy exports. American forces intercepted two ships in recent weeks, while a third retreated to the Atlantic Ocean after being pursued.

According to OFAC, some of the sanctioned ships are part of a "shadow fleet" that provides financial resources to what it describes as Maduro's "illegitimate narco-terrorist regime."

The sanctions complement other recent actions against Maduro's regime, including sanctions against officials, associates, and ships linked to the state oil company PDVSA on December 11 and 19.

As a result of the sanctions, all properties and interests of the designated entities in the United States or controlled by American persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Transactions involving these blocked entities.