Trump Announces Naval Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions
President Trump has announced a naval blockade targeting all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, intensifying pressure on Nicolás Maduro's government. This move coincides with the recent deployment of thousands of US troops and nearly a dozen warships to the Caribbean, including the world's largest aircraft carrier. While the United States frames the military buildup as a counter-narcotics operation, Maduro's administration perceives it as an attempt to force him from power.
The US has maintained long-standing sanctions against Venezuela’s oil sector, aiming to cripple the country’s economy by restricting its oil exports. Last Wednesday, the US seized an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude, underscoring its commitment to these measures. Trump stated that Venezuela is "completely surrounded by the largest armada in South America" and vowed that the blockade will expand until Maduro returns oil, land, and other assets to the United States. He has ordered a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela.
