U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, via a post on Truth Social, a “total and complete blockade” of all U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.
Kabul 24: This escalation targets the main revenue source of President Nicolás Maduro’s government amid ongoing tensions.In his post, Trump stated: “Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America.
It will only get bigger… For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.
Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela.”The order follows the U.S. seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker, the Skipper, off Venezuela’s coast last week, which was carrying millions of barrels of crude.
The U.S. has significantly increased its naval presence in the Caribbean, deploying warships including an aircraft carrier.
Venezuela strongly condemned the move as a “grotesque threat” and an attempt to steal its vast oil reserves—the world’s largest proven reserves. The government accused Trump of aiming to colonize the country and impose an irrational naval blockade.
On Wednesday, December 17, Venezuela formally requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to address what it called “ongoing U.S. aggression.”The United Nations has called on both sides to exercise restraint.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offered to host talks to prevent bloodshed.In the U.S., Democrats in the House of Representatives failed to pass resolutions requiring congressional approval for any military action against Venezuela.
Some Democrats, like Rep. Joaquin Castro, described the blockade as “unquestionably an act of war.”Experts note that while the blockade targets only sanctioned vessels (around 30-40 currently in Venezuelan waters), it could disrupt exports and raise global oil prices modestly.
Chevron’s operations, authorized under U.S. licenses, remain unaffected.Tensions have risen in recent months with U.S. sanctions, military buildup, and strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats.
Venezuela has begun escorting some non-sanctioned tankers with its navy, raising risks of direct confrontation.This development marks a sharp intensification in Washington’s pressure campaign against Maduro, with potential implications for regional stability and energy markets.
