Venezuela has condemned US President Donald Trump’s order for a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers heading to the country, calling it a “warmongering” threat and a grave danger to peace in South America. The move is part of Washington’s effort to increase pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
The escalation follows the recent seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast and a significant build-up of US military forces in the region. In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Venezuela of using oil revenue to fund drug trafficking and other crimes and vowed to expand the military presence until Caracas hands over oil, land and other assets he claims were “stolen” from the United States.
Trump wrote that Venezuela is “completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America” and warned that the deployment would grow until the country “returns” its oil, land and assets to the United States. US forces have also carried out deadly strikes on Venezuelan vessels accused of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean and Pacific, while strengthening their naval presence nearby.
Venezuela’s government responded that the United States is trying to seize its natural resources and is violating international law, free trade and freedom of navigation with what it called a “reckless and grave threat”. Caracas said it will take the matter to the United Nations and denounced Trump for acting as if Venezuela’s oil, land and minerals were his personal property.
In an official statement, the Maduro administration said Trump is seeking to impose an “irrational” naval blockade to steal the country’s wealth. Following last week’s tanker seizure, Washington also announced new sanctions on six additional ships accused of carrying Venezuelan oil.
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