US President Donald Trump has announced a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela. This declaration comes after he labeled the Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro, as a foreign terrorist organization and accused it of various crimes including stealing US assets and engaging in terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.
Trump's statement was made via a post on Truth Social and follows the US's recent actions, including the seizure of an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast. Venezuela has yet to respond to this latest development.
In his post, Trump emphasized that Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America, suggesting the US military's presence in the region would only increase. He further claimed that the Maduro government uses stolen oil to finance criminal activities.
Over the past months, the US has intensified its military maneuvers in the Caribbean Sea, including the deployment of thousands of troops and the USS Gerald Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, positioned near Venezuela. Trump's administration has pointed fingers at Venezuela for drug trafficking, leading to military strikes on vessels believed to be transporting illegal drugs to the US.
Venezuela, rich in proven oil reserves, has countered these allegations, accusing the US of trying to seize its resources. The US has been enforcing punitive sanctions against Venezuela under both Trump and President Biden, aiming to dismantle Maduro’s government.
Just last week, the US targeted six additional ships alleged to be carrying Venezuelan oil, along with sanctions against several of Maduro's relatives and businesses tied to his government. The US authority had recently seized a vessel named the Skipper, which it claimed was involved in illicit oil transporting activities.
The Venezuelan government condemned the seizure, with Maduro stating that the US had kidnapped the crew and stolen the ship. With escalating tensions, it remains to be seen how Venezuelan authorities will respond to Trump's blockade announcement as diplomatic relations continue to deteriorate.
