‘Venezuela completely surrounded...’ Trump announces total oil tanker blockade

Washington DC: President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, as his administration intensifies economic and military pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.

In a social media post, Trump claimed that Venezuela is “completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America” and warned that the measures will continue until the United States recovers what he alleges were stolen oil, land, and assets.

The announcement comes after U.S. forces last week seized a sanctioned 20-year-old oil tanker departing Venezuela, which authorities allege was involved in a network funding Iran’s military and proxy groups. The Maduro government condemned the seizure as “robbery” and “piracy,” while the U.S. administration signalled more actions could follow.

White House officials, including National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, suggested that future ship seizures are unlikely to impact global oil prices, framing the campaign as an effort to crack down on Venezuela’s “black market for oil.” The blockade intensifies longstanding U.S. sanctions, citing human rights abuses and electoral fraud under Maduro, whose government has been accused of colluding with drug cartels.

The Trump administration has also moved to designate the Cartel de los Soles—a group allegedly led by Maduro—as a foreign terrorist organisation. Trump’s posts further accused the Maduro regime of using oil revenue to finance “Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping.” Maduro himself faces a $50 million U.S. reward for capture, following a 2020 narco-trafficking charge in federal court.

U.S. military pressure in the Caribbean has increased, with naval vessels and fighter jets deployed, and at least 25 boat strikes conducted against vessels accused of smuggling drugs. Trump has repeatedly suggested the potential for land-based strikes against drug targets in Venezuela, representing a possible major escalation. Maduro’s government has condemned the U.S. military buildup, accused the administration of pursuing regime change, and vowed to defend the country against any operations.

Analysts note that heavily sanctioned producers like Venezuela, Russia, and Iran have increasingly relied on older, unregistered tankers to bypass restrictions, complicating enforcement and intensifying geopolitical risks in the region. The blockade signals a sharp escalation in U.S.-Venezuela tensions and leaves uncertainty over the potential for further military or economic measures.

Speaking at a White House Hanukkah reception, President Donald Trump urged nations to stand together against what he described as “the evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism,” days after 15 people were shot and killed during a Jewish Hanukkah festival in Sydney, Australia. The comments followed international condemnation of the attack, which targeted a religious gathering and reignited concerns over extremist violence.