The United States will prioritize economic pressure over military action against Venezuela in the coming months, focusing specifically on sanctioned Venezuelan oil, according to a Reuters report citing a US official.

The White House has directed the US military to focus “almost exclusively on enforcing a ‘quarantine’ of Venezuelan oil,” even as the region continues to experience heightened military presence.

“While military options still exist, the focus is to first use economic pressure by enforcing sanctions to reach the outcome the White House is looking for,” the official said.

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US Military Build-Up in the Caribbean

Tensions in the Caribbean have intensified over the past month, with 15,000 US troops, aircraft carriers, guided missile destroyers, and amphibious assault ships deployed under President Donald Trump. Reuters reports this is the largest US force deployment in the Caribbean in decades, raising concerns over a potential invasion under the guise of combating “narcoterrorists” and international drug cartels.

In mid-December, Trump ordered a “total and complete blockade” on US-sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. US forces have already seized two tankers and are pursuing a third.

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Oil as the Focus of Economic Pressure

Venezuela relies heavily on oil exports, making them a critical target for sanctions enforcement. The US Coast Guard, rather than the military, is primarily carrying out the oil enforcement actions, which are considered law enforcement rather than acts of war.

Despite the heightened tensions, some analysts suggest that using the Coast Guard to enforce sanctions could serve as a de-escalation measure, avoiding direct military conflict with Venezuela.

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Background on US-Venezuela Tensions

Since September, US forces have conducted air strikes against boats alleged to be transporting illicit drugs, killing at least 105 people. The Trump administration claims Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro supports major cartels, including Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles, which the US designated as terrorist organizations earlier this year.

Venezuela condemned the oil seizures as “worse than piracy” in a statement to the United Nations Security Council. The sanctions and enforcement actions represent a continuation of US pressure on Caracas, which has been under varying US sanctions since 2005, with a significant escalation in the energy sector in 2019.