President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, intensifying pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s regime and highlighting a potential economic dimension to the US military campaign.
Trump said Venezuela is now encircled by what he described as the largest armada ever assembled, aimed at targeting the country’s primary source of revenue.
Punctuating the words “total and complete blockade” in capital letters in a Truth Social post, Trump pointed to the large collection of US military assets in the region, suggested that more could be deployed, and directly targeted Maduro’s regime. He also suggested that Venezuela give up land, oil, and assets to the United States, making clear that one aim of his military campaign extends beyond countering the drug trade.
The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Venezuela of involvement in drug smuggling. Since September, US military strikes on vessels alleged to be carrying fentanyl and other illicit drugs to the United States have reportedly killed at least 90 people.
In recent months, the US has also deployed additional warships to the region, signaling a growing military presence.
Venezuela, which holds some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has, in turn, accused Washington of attempting to seize its natural resources.
“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America. It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us,” Trump said Tuesday night.
He said, “the illegitimate Maduro Regime is using Oil from these stolen Oil Fields to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping. For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.”
“Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela. The Illegal Aliens and Criminals that the Maduro Regime has sent into the United States during the weak and inept Biden Administration, are being returned to Venezuela at a rapid pace. America will not allow Criminals, Terrorists, or other Countries, to rob, threaten, or harm our Nation and, likewise, will not allow a Hostile Regime to take our Oil, Land, or any other Assets, all of which must be returned to the United States, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
The US move could have serious consequences for Venezuela’s oil exports, which form the backbone of the country’s economy. Venezuela is entirely dependent on tankers to transport its crude oil to international markets, and any disruption could cause a severe economic strain.
Moreover, the United States seized a tanker in the Caribbean Sea last Wednesday carrying Venezuelan oil bound for Cuba and China. A federal judge authorised the seizure after discovering that the vessel had recently transported oil from Iran, another country under US sanctions.
Additionally, the US military has been steadily expanding its naval presence in the Caribbean. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened potential strikes inside Venezuela.
