US President Donald Trump announced a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and exiting Venezuela. This directive follows a week after the US seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
The Venezuelan government responded by rejecting Trump's statement, characterizing it as a "grotesque threat."
Rationale for Blockade
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated that Nicolás Maduro's government had been designated a foreign terrorist organization. He further accused the Venezuelan government of involvement in "Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking," as well as stealing US assets. Trump alleged that Maduro's administration uses "stolen oil to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping."
President Trump also stated that Venezuela was "completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America," adding that it would "only get bigger" and "be like nothing they have ever seen before."
US Actions and Venezuelan Responses
The Trump administration has consistently accused Venezuela of drug smuggling. Since September, the US military has reported killing at least 90 individuals in strikes on vessels it alleged were transporting fentanyl and other illegal drugs to the US. In recent months, the US has increased its naval presence in the region.
Venezuela, which possesses some of the world's largest proven oil reserves, has countered by accusing the US of attempting to seize its resources.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations have historically opposed the Maduro government, implementing stringent sanctions to pressure for its removal. Last week, the US imposed additional sanctions on six ships identified as carrying Venezuelan oil. Sanctions were also applied to relatives of President Maduro and businesses linked to what the US refers to as his "illegitimate regime."
A day prior to the blockade announcement, the US reported the seizure of a tanker named "Skipper" off Venezuela's coast. The White House stated 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 asserting that the US "kidnapped the crew" and "stole" the ship.
The US had intensified its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela, in the days preceding the seizure. This buildup included thousands of troops and the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier being positioned within striking distance of Venezuela.