U.S. Intensifies Pressure on Venezuela with Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers

President Donald Trump has announced a "total and complete blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, aiming to increase pressure on President Nicolás Maduro's government. This directive follows the U.S. military's recent seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast, part of a broader campaign targeting vessels accused of circumventing sanctions.

In a social media post, Trump stated that Venezuela is "completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America," and emphasized that the blockade would persist until Venezuela returns "Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us."

The Venezuelan government condemned the blockade as a violation of international law and vowed to denounce it at the United Nations, labeling Trump's demands as imperialist.

The U.S. military campaign has included naval strikes, causing bipartisan scrutiny, with at least 95 deaths in 25 maritime incidents. Though the administration framed the campaign as anti-drug trafficking, chief of staff Susie Wiles confirmed it's also aimed at forcing Maduro from power.

Venezuela, heavily dependent on oil exports, has bypassed U.S. sanctions by selling oil mainly to China and through Chevron. The blockade raises logistical and legal questions, especially following Trump's designation of Venezuela as a "foreign terrorist organization," a title with unclear legal standing in this context.