United States President Donald Trump has ordered a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering Venezuela, sharply escalating tensions with the South American nation.
The announcement, made on Truth Social, follows the seizure of an oil tanker by U.S. forces off Venezuela’s coast last week.
The blockade is part of Operation Southern Spear, a military campaign aimed at curbing drug trafficking into the United States.
Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to finance criminal networks, vowing to continue a military buildup until Venezuela hands over what he described as “oil, land and other assets.”
“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” Trump wrote, promising further escalation.
Venezuela’s government condemned the move, accusing Washington of breaching international law and attempting to “steal the wealth that belongs to our nation.”
Military Escalation and International Scrutiny
Operation Southern Spear currently involves nearly a dozen U.S. Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines deployed in the Caribbean, supported by aircraft including P-8 Poseidon patrol planes, V-22 Ospreys, and bomber flights near Venezuelan airspace.
Reports indicate at least 95 deaths in 25 strikes on vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, drawing scrutiny from U.S. officials and international observers.
In September, an attack on a vessel tied to a Venezuelan gang left 11 people dead in international waters, prompting criticism from the United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk, who described the killings as extrajudicial.
UK officials have also raised concerns that several strikes may violate international law.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has rejected Trump’s claims, insisting the country’s wealth belongs solely to Venezuela.
With the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela produces about one million barrels per day, but U.S. sanctions since 2017 have forced its state oil company, PDVSA, to rely on unflagged tankers and discounted black-market sales, particularly to China.
Trump has suggested Maduro offered stakes in Venezuela’s oil and mineral wealth to ease U.S. pressure, but insisted Washington would not relent.
The blockade, coupled with the largest naval presence in South America’s history, signals a dangerous escalation with global implications.
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