Trump Orders Total Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers, Escalating Pressure on Maduro

President Donald Trump on December 16 announced what he described as a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, signaling a sharp escalation in the United States’ campaign against the government of President Nicolás Maduro and its oil-based revenue streams. The announcement was made in a social media post, in which Trump tied the blockade to allegations that Venezuela’s oil exports are being used to finance drug trafficking and other criminal activity. According to the directive, U.S. forces are to intercept sanctioned vessels as part of ongoing maritime operations in the Caribbean. White House officials characterized the move as a targeted effort to sever what they described as the Maduro government’s remaining financial lifelines. The blockade builds on previous U.S. actions, including oil tanker seizures and the designation of Venezuelan entities as terrorist organizations. The measure is rooted in longstanding U.S. sanctions on V...