Former US President Donald Trump has declared a sweeping naval blockade targeting all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in his administration's campaign against the country's leader, Nicolás Maduro.
A Dramatic Escalation in the Caribbean
The announcement was made via Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday night. In his post, Trump alleged that Venezuela uses its oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other criminal activities. He vowed to intensify the military presence, stating, "Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America."
This move follows a series of aggressive actions in the region. Last week, US forces seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast in the Caribbean. Reports suggest the vessel was carrying approximately two million barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude. The Venezuelan government condemned the act as "blatant theft" and "an act of international piracy," sharply raising diplomatic tensions.
Military Strikes and Mounting Casualties
The blockade order is part of a broader, intensifying military operation. The Pentagon confirmed that on Tuesday, it carried out strikes on three boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in eight fatalities. Since the beginning of September, more than 20 similar strikes have killed at least 95 people, with most incidents occurring off the coast of Venezuela.
Several US lawmakers have demanded transparency, specifically calling for the release of video footage from a major attack on 2 September. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has refused, classifying the video as "top secret" and stating its release would violate longstanding Department of War policy.
Strategic Aims and Political Reactions
The Trump administration has publicly framed this campaign as a critical effort to stop the flow of drugs to American shores, defending its actions as a successful deterrent. However, comments from Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles, in a recent Vanity Fair interview, suggest a broader political objective. Wiles indicated the campaign is part of a push to oust Maduro, quoting Trump's desire to "keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle."
This hardline strategy continues to draw scrutiny over its legality and the bounds of lawful warfare, even as the administration pushes back on such concerns. The situation remains volatile, with the new blockade threat significantly raising the stakes in the ongoing confrontation between Washington and Caracas.
