Trump Orders ‘Total and Comprehensive’ Blockade on Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a “total and comprehensive” blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela, a move widely seen as aimed at paralysing the country’s oil exports. The Venezuelan government has condemned the announcement as a “war-mongering threat.”

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump claimed that the United States has designated the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as a “foreign terrorist organization.” He accused the Maduro administration of involvement in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other criminal activities.

The announcement comes just days after U.S. authorities seized an oil tanker near Venezuela’s coast, a move considered a major blow to the country’s economy, which is almost entirely dependent on oil exports. Washington has since imposed new sanctions on six additional vessels.

In his post, Trump said Venezuela is now surrounded by what he described as “the largest naval force in South American history,” adding that the deployment would be further strengthened. “This will be something they have never seen before,” he wrote.

Trump also alleged that the Maduro government is financing drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping through the sale of “stolen oil.” However, the United States has not publicly presented evidence that the vessels targeted in recent operations were carrying narcotics. Notably, Mexico—not Venezuela—is widely regarded as the primary production hub for fentanyl.

According to reports, at least 90 people have been killed in maritime operations conducted near Venezuelan waters since September. During the same period, the United States deployed thousands of troops and the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean Sea.

Venezuela has accused the United States of attempting to loot its natural resources. President Maduro said the seized tanker, named “Skipper,” had been stolen by U.S. forces and that its crew had been abducted.

Meanwhile, U.S. Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro described Trump’s announcement as “tantamount to a declaration of war.” He said Congress would vote on a resolution instructing the president to de-escalate hostilities with Venezuela.

The United States has long accused the Maduro government of being illegitimate and responsible for widespread human rights abuses. Venezuela’s most recent election was rejected as fraudulent by the country’s opposition, the United States, and several other nations.

Despite possessing the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela now faces renewed and intense international pressure. How the blockade will be enforced in practice—and how severe its consequences may be—has become a growing source of global concern.