CARACAS/WASHINGTON — In a dramatic escalation of U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump has ordered a “total and complete” naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The move aims to sever the financial lifeline of President Nicolás Maduro’s government, which the U.S. has now officially designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A “Total Blockade” on Oil
Asserting that Venezuelan oil wealth is being used to fund “drug terrorism,” President Trump announced that U.S. forces will now actively obstruct sanctioned vessels.
- The “Armada”: Trump claimed that Venezuela is currently surrounded by the largest naval force in South American history.
- Demands: The President stated the blockade will not be lifted until the Maduro administration returns U.S. oil, land, and other assets seized during previous nationalizations.
- Enforcement: While a formal strategy for enforcement wasn’t detailed, the order empowers U.S. forces to physically block maritime traffic involving sanctioned entities.
Terrorism and Crime Allegations
The administration’s decision to label the Venezuelan government a terrorist entity stems from a long list of criminal allegations, including:
- Narcotics & Violence: Claims of systematic drug trafficking, kidnapping, and human smuggling.
- Theft of Resources: Trump characterized the sale of Venezuelan oil as the “systematic theft” of resources that rightfully belong elsewhere, used to bankroll global crime and human trafficking.
- Immigration Link: The President tied the crackdown to border security, noting that Venezuelan nationals who entered the U.S. illegally are being repatriated at an accelerated rate.
Military Buildup in the Caribbean
The blockade is the culmination of a month-long military surge in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
- Vessel Seizures: The U.S. recently seized a sanctioned tanker off the Venezuelan coast, a move Trump cited as a precursor to the current blockade.
- Casualties: U.S. officials report that the ongoing anti-drug campaign in the region has resulted in at least 95 deaths across 25 different engagements with vessels in international waters.
Maduro Responds
President Nicolás Maduro has rejected the claims, accusing the Trump administration of “piracy” and an illegal attempt to force a regime change. Maduro also criticized the United Nations for failing to intervene against U.S. military actions targeting private shipping vessels.
Summary of Key Developments
| Category | Action Taken |
| Military | Deployment of a massive naval “Armada” to Venezuelan waters. |
| Legal Status | Maduro regime designated a “Foreign Terrorist Organization.” |
| Economic | Total maritime blockade on sanctioned oil exports and imports. |
| Humanitarian | Rapid deportation of Venezuelan illegal immigrants from the U.S. |
