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 of 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, Trump wrote that Venezuela was completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America.
Additionally, he accused Maduro's government of using stolen oil to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping.
Venezuela's economy is heavily dependent on oil exports despite producing less oil than its capacity due to various sanctions and economic challenges. The declaration of more aggressive sanctions by Trump comes in the context of political strife and accusations against the Maduro regime regarding human rights violations and election legitimacy.
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 of 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, Trump wrote that Venezuela was completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America.
Additionally, he accused Maduro's government of using stolen oil to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping.
Venezuela's economy is heavily dependent on oil exports despite producing less oil than its capacity due to various sanctions and economic challenges. The declaration of more aggressive sanctions by Trump comes in the context of political strife and accusations against the Maduro regime regarding human rights violations and election legitimacy.
