Trump Orders Full US Blockade on Venezuelan Oil Tankers

Trump claims that Venezuela has effectively been surrounded by the largest naval fleet in South American history. He labeled the Venezuelan government as a “foreign terrorist organization” due to alleged theft of US assets, terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. For these reasons, he ordered all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela to be stopped.

The Venezuelan government strongly protested, calling Trump’s decision an “unreasonable and distorted threat,” claiming the US wants to loot Venezuela’s natural resources under the pretext of a naval blockade.

Previously, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro alleged that the US recently seized an unrefined oil tanker and stole its oil. He warned that such actions would encourage maritime piracy globally. The US Navy had seized the tanker “Skipper” near Venezuela’s coast and taken it to Texas.

US Congressman Joaquin Castro called the move “essentially a declaration of war,” saying it was done without Congress approval and that Congress would soon vote on directing the President to end hostilities with Venezuela.

US military presence near Venezuela’s coast has increased. Washington claims the action aims to stop drug trafficking. However, international law experts note that at least 90 people have been killed in operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September, potentially constituting extrajudicial killings.

Venezuela maintains that these anti-drug operations are actually aimed at controlling its vast oil and gas reserves. The country has the world’s largest proven oil reserves. In this context, Venezuela has requested UN Security Council intervention.

Only US oil company Chevron’s chartered ships, with special permission, have been allowed to transport Venezuelan oil internationally after the seizure. Chevron is working jointly with PDVSA, Venezuela’s state oil company. Trump’s first-term sanctions, strengthened at the start of his second term, have already put Venezuela’s economy in deep crisis. A US court has also ordered the sale of Venezuela-owned Citgo to repay debts.