Venezuela Oil Spill Endangers Caribbean Coast and National Park

An oil spill from Venezuela's El Palito refinery has led to significant contamination in the Caribbean Sea, affecting Morrocoy National Park. This incident remains unaddressed by the state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela PDVSA. Local sources report severe impacts on beaches and boats in Boca de Aroa.

An oil spill originating from Venezuela's El Palito refinery has severely contaminated a bay off the north-central coast in the Caribbean Sea, affecting an area of about 225 square kilometers (87 square miles), including Morrocoy National Park. The news was confirmed by five sources who spoke to Reuters on Saturday. Biologist Eduardo Klein posted satellite images on X, showing an extensive oil slick in the Golfe Triste region.

State-owned Petroleos de Venezuela PDVSA and the oil ministry have yet to comment on the incident. The El Palito refinery, Venezuela's smallest oil complex with a capacity of processing 146,000 barrels of crude oil per day, is located in the Puerto Cabello municipality of Carabobo.

'The spill came from El Palito. This morning, beaches in Boca de Aroa were covered with hydrocarbons, impacting some boats including artisanal fishing vessels,' one source told Reuters. Another source reported seeing three large oil slicks washing ashore.

(With inputs from agencies.)