Trump Venezuela oil blockade: US orders total halt to sanctioned tankers

Trump Venezuela oil blockade: the US president orders a total halt to sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, prompting accusations of international law violations from Caracas

Trump Venezuela oil blockade: US targets Maduro’s oil shipments – US President Donald Trump has announced a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers travelling to and from Venezuela, sharply escalating tensions with the government of Nicolás Maduro. The decision, unveiled in a post on Truth Social, is framed by the White House as a response to alleged crimes committed by the Venezuelan leadership, including terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking and the seizure of US-owned assets.

According to the US administration, the Trump Venezuela oil blockade will remain in place until Caracas returns what he described as “oil, land and other assets” allegedly taken from the United States. The president also claimed that Maduro’s government has been designated a foreign terrorist organisation.

“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest force ever assembled in the history of South America,” Trump wrote. “It will continue to grow, and the shock they experience will be unlike anything seen before.”

Military pressure and tanker seizure

The announcement follows a recent US operation in which American forces seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast. The move came amid an increased US military presence in the region, reinforcing concerns that the Trump Venezuela oil blockade could have significant implications for freedom of navigation and regional stability.

Washington has not released further operational details, but the language used by Trump suggests a strategy aimed at cutting off Venezuela’s remaining energy exports, a crucial source of revenue for the Maduro government.

Caracas: ‘Violation of international law’

The Venezuelan government responded forcefully, accusing Trump of breaching international law, free trade rules and the principle of free navigation. In an official statement, Caracas described the blockade threat as “reckless and extremely serious”.

Referring directly to Trump’s social media post, the government said the US president was acting as if Venezuela’s natural resources were his personal property. “He demands that Venezuela immediately hand over all its wealth,” the statement said, accusing Washington of attempting to impose a de facto naval blockade to appropriate Venezuelan resources.

Appeal to the United Nations

As tensions rise, Caracas has announced its intention to bring the issue before the United Nations, arguing that the Trump Venezuela oil blockade represents an unlawful use of economic and military pressure against a sovereign state.

The unfolding crisis risks further destabilising an already fragile regional balance, while raising fresh questions about the limits of sanctions, the legality of maritime enforcement measures and the broader geopolitical consequences of Washington’s hard-line approach towards Venezuela.

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