US President Orders Blockade on Venezuelan Oil Tankers
US President Donald Trump has announced an order for a "total and complete blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and exiting Venezuela. This announcement was made via a post on Truth Social.
Background and Accusations
In his statement, President Trump asserted that Nicolás Maduro's government in Venezuela had been designated a foreign terrorist organization. He further accused the government of stealing US assets and engaging in "Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking." Trump also claimed that Venezuela was "completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America," indicating that this presence would expand. He additionally accused Maduro's administration of utilizing stolen oil to finance "Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping."
The Trump administration has consistently accused Venezuela of drug smuggling. Since September, the US military has reported killing at least 90 individuals in strikes targeting boats it alleged were involved in transporting fentanyl and other illicit drugs to the United States. Concurrently, the US has increased its naval presence in the region, including moving warships into the area.
Venezuelan Response and US Actions
Venezuela, which possesses significant proven oil reserves, has countered these accusations by stating that Washington aims to seize its resources.
The US has maintained opposition to the Maduro government under both the Trump and Biden administrations, implementing stringent sanctions to press for a change in leadership. Recently, the US imposed new sanctions on six additional ships identified as transporting Venezuelan oil. Sanctions were also applied to relatives of President Maduro and businesses linked to what the US refers to as his illegitimate regime.
Last week, the US announced the seizure of a tanker, named the Skipper, off the Venezuelan coast. The White House stated that the vessel was involved in "illicit oil shipping" and would be transported to an American port. Venezuela's government condemned the seizure, with President Maduro claiming the US had "kidnapped the crew" and "stole" the ship.
Prior to this seizure, the US had augmented its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, bordering Venezuela to the north. This buildup included thousands of troops and the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier being positioned within striking distance of Venezuela.