Venezuela Condemns Trump's Blockade Order as Provocative Wartime Threats

Thu Dec 18 2025 11:28:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bold response to President Trump's order for a blockade against Venezuela, the country's government labels the move as escalating aggressions, citing the recent seizure of an oil tanker as a significant provocation.

Venezuela has denounced U.S. President Donald Trump's directive for a total blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country, calling it a 'warmongering threat'. This statement follows a U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker amid growing tensions over allegations of drug trafficking and human rights abuses under President Nicolás Maduro's regime.

US President Donald Trump has ordered 'a total and complete' blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela - a move denounced by Caracas as 'warmongering threats'.

Trump wrote that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government had been designated a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), which had also engaged in 'Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking'.

His remarks come after the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week, a significant action in light of the South American nation's reliance on oil.

The US has also recently conducted deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats and has significantly built up its naval presence nearby.

Trump's post did not give further detail on how the wide-ranging blockade on sanctioned oil tankers would be enforced. As of last week, more than 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.

Multiple new US sanctions on ships said to be carrying Venezuelan oil were issued after the tanker was seized. Sanctions were also placed on some of President Maduro's relatives and on businesses associated with what the US called his illegitimate regime.

In his Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump wrote that Venezuela was 'completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America.' He added that it would 'only get bigger' and 'be like nothing they have ever seen before'.

Trump accused Maduro's government of using 'stolen' oil to 'finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping'.

In response to the recent US actions, Venezuela - home to the world's largest proven oil reserves - has accused Washington of seeking to steal its resources.

Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuela of drug smuggling, and since September the US military has killed about 100 people with its strikes on boats allegedly carrying fentanyl and other illegal drugs to the US. However, it has provided no public evidence that these vessels were carrying drugs.

Another ship accused of drug trafficking was destroyed by the US military on Wednesday, with officials saying four men were killed in the strike.

Venezuela's economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, even though its production is relatively small given its reserves. The White House announced the seized vessel, called the Skipper, had been involved in 'illicit oil shipping' and would be taken to a US port.

The US military has been increasing its presence in the Caribbean Sea, involving thousands of troops and deploying the USS Gerald Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, near Venezuela.

Congressman Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, stated that Trump's naval blockade represents 'an act of war'. He mentioned that lawmakers would vote on a resolution 'directing the president to end hostilities with Venezuela'.

The US has opposed Maduro's government for years, pressing for his removal through stringent sanctions. The UN's human rights chief recently condemned the country's intensified crackdown on civic freedoms, echoing long-standing international concerns.

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