US President Trump Announces Full Naval Blockade on Venezuelan Oil Tankers
United States President Donald Trump has issued a decisive order for a “total and complete” blockade of all US-sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The announcement comes just one week after the US military seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, escalating already high tensions between the two nations.
Trump shared the news via his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasizing the scale of the operation:
“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the history of South America,” he said.
The President cited a range of allegations against Venezuela, including terrorism, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and theft of US assets, labeling the Venezuelan government a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“Therefore, today, I am ordering a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela,” Trump added.
Venezuelan Government Condemns US Blockade
The Venezuelan government swiftly responded, calling Trump’s order a “grotesque threat” and rejecting it as an attempt to steal national resources. A statement from Caracas read:
“The President of the United States intends to impose, in an utterly irrational manner, a supposed naval blockade on Venezuela with the aim of stealing the riches that belong to our homeland.”
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also condemned the seizure of the Skipper oil tanker last week, stating that “the world will rise up against piracy and oil plunder”.
International Reactions and Russian Warning
The escalating crisis has drawn attention from global powers. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that the situation in Venezuela could have unpredictable consequences for the Western world, highlighting concerns over regional instability and the risks of confrontation between superpowers.
Meanwhile, US forces reportedly seized the Skipper oil tanker and transported its Venezuelan crude cargo to Texas, a move Caracas denounced as “international piracy.”
US Lawmakers Debate Legality of the Blockade
The blockade has sparked controversy in the United States. US Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) described the action as “unquestionably an act of war” and criticized it as a conflict without Congressional authorization.
“Every member of the House of Representatives will have the opportunity to decide if they support sending Americans into yet another regime change war,” Castro said.
A vote on a resolution directing the President to end hostilities with Venezuela is scheduled for Thursday, providing lawmakers with a chance to weigh in on the legality and consequences of the blockade.
Venezuela Appeals to the UN Security Council
In response to the US actions, Venezuela has formally appealed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Venezuela’s UN representative, Samuel Moncada, delivered a letter denouncing the seizure of the Skipper tanker and the detention of its crew, calling it “state piracy” and a blatant theft of assets.
Venezuela’s government claims that the US military presence is not genuinely aimed at curbing drug trafficking, but rather at enabling foreign powers to exploit Venezuela’s vast oil and gas reserves. The country holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, making the crisis highly significant for global energy markets.
Chevron and US Oil Interests in Venezuela
Despite strict US sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports, Chevron has been authorized to continue operations in Venezuela through joint ventures with PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company. Only Chevron-chartered tankers have reportedly left Venezuelan ports for international waters since the Skipper seizure.
The US has also strengthened sanctions that were first imposed during Trump’s previous term, further straining Venezuela’s struggling economy. Recently, a US court approved the forced sale of Venezuelan oil company Citgo to repay billions in debts, intensifying tensions between Caracas and Washington.
Rising Geopolitical Tensions and Regional Implications
The blockade, military buildup, and legal disputes mark a major escalation in US-Venezuela relations, with potential repercussions across Latin America. Experts warn that the ongoing US naval operations near Venezuela could destabilize the region, affecting trade, security, and diplomatic relations.
With Venezuelan oil exports already limited, the blockade could disrupt global oil supply chains and impact international markets, making this crisis a matter of global concern.
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