Trump Threatens Naval Blockade Of Venezuela, Claims ‘Largest Armada’ In South America
Venezuela has condemned President Donald Trump’s order imposing what he described as a “total and complete” blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country, calling the move a set of “warmongering threats” aimed at destabilising its economy.
The remarks were made by Trump in a post shared by the White House on X, escalating tensions following recent United States (US) naval actions in the Caribbean and the seizure of a Venezuelan-linked oil tanker off the country’s coast.
What did President Donald Trump announce?
In his statement, President Donald Trump said Venezuela was “completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America”, adding that the naval presence would “only get bigger” and would deliver a shock “like nothing they have ever seen before”.
Trump accused the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of using oil revenues to finance “Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping”. He also said the Maduro administration had been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), broadening a label previously applied to individuals linked to the regime.
The post did not provide operational details on how the blockade would be enforced.
How has Venezuela responded to the blockade order?
Caracas accused Washington of pursuing an aggressive strategy designed to seize Venezuela’s natural resources. The Maduro government said the US was seeking to “steal” Venezuelan oil and described the blockade threat as a violation of international norms.
Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, relies heavily on oil exports despite producing relatively modest volumes due to sanctions and infrastructure constraints.
What recent US actions have heightened tensions?
The announcement follows the US seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast last week. The White House said the vessel, named Skipper, had been involved in illicit oil shipping and would be taken to a US port.
Following the seizure, Washington imposed fresh sanctions on six additional vessels accused of carrying Venezuelan oil. Sanctions were also extended to relatives of President Nicolás Maduro and businesses linked to what the US described as his illegitimate regime.
The US has also significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, deploying thousands of personnel and positioning the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier within range of Venezuela.
How is the blockade being viewed internationally and domestically in the US?
Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro described the proposed naval blockade as “unquestionably an act of war” and said US lawmakers would vote on a resolution directing the president to end hostilities with Venezuela.
The US has opposed the Maduro government under both Trump and former President Joe Biden, imposing extensive sanctions and rejecting the legitimacy of last year’s Venezuelan election, which was widely criticised by opposition groups and several governments.
On December 16, the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned that Venezuela’s “crackdown on civic space has intensified, suffocating people’s freedoms”, adding to international scrutiny of Caracas as tensions with Washington continue to rise.
