Former US President Donald Trump has announced an order for a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and exiting Venezuela. In a statement, Mr. Trump declared the government of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro a foreign terrorist organisation, accusing it of a range of severe crimes including terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking, alongside the theft of US assets. This directive represents a significant intensification of US pressure on Caracas.

The announcement comes barely a week after US authorities seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, an action that drew strong condemnation from the Maduro administration. Washington has maintained a long-standing policy of opposition to President Maduro’s rule, implementing stringent sanctions aimed at his removal from power and the restoration of democratic governance in the nation.

Mr. Trump further elaborated on his claims, asserting that the Maduro government utilizes stolen oil to finance its alleged illicit operations. He specifically cited “Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping” as activities supported by these illicit oil revenues. These accusations form the core of the US argument that the Venezuelan regime poses a direct threat to regional stability and American national interests.

In conjunction with the blockade order, Mr. Trump also highlighted a formidable US military presence surrounding Venezuela. He described this as “the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” adding a warning that it would “only get bigger” and be “like nothing they have ever seen before.” This rhetoric underscores the perceived readiness of the United States to enforce its directives and protect its interests in the region.

The US military has indeed intensified its operations in the Caribbean Sea, which borders Venezuela to the north. These deployments have included thousands of troops and the positioning of the USS Gerald Ford, one of the world’s largest aircraft carriers, within striking distance. Since September, these expanded operations have reportedly led to at least 90 fatalities during strikes on vessels suspected of transporting fentanyl and other illicit drugs towards the United States, an accusation the Trump administration has repeatedly leveled against Venezuela.

Venezuela has yet to issue a formal response to President Trump’s latest blockade order. However, Caracas has consistently denounced US actions as attempts to destabilize its government and illicitly seize control of its vast oil resources, which are among the largest proven reserves globally. Following the recent seizure of the tanker “Skipper,” President Maduro accused the US of “kidnapping the crew” and “stealing” the vessel, framing the incident as an act of piracy.

The seizure of the “Skipper” was part of a broader US crackdown on what it terms “illicit oil shipping.” The White House confirmed that the seized vessel would be transported to an American port for further processing. This incident followed closely on the heels of fresh US sanctions imposed on six additional ships implicated in carrying Venezuelan oil, as well as sanctions targeting relatives of President Maduro and businesses allegedly linked to his “illegitimate regime.”

The comprehensive US campaign against Venezuela, spanning both the Trump and Biden administrations, reflects a sustained effort to isolate the Maduro government. This strategy has leveraged economic pressure, including stringent oil sanctions, and diplomatic isolation, alongside increased military posturing, to achieve a political transition in the oil-rich South American nation. The latest blockade order represents a significant tightening of this long-standing pressure campaign, potentially escalating tensions further.

The potential enforcement of a “total and complete blockade” raises considerable questions regarding international maritime law, regional stability, and humanitarian implications for Venezuela, a nation already grappling with severe economic challenges. Such an action could further exacerbate the humanitarian situation and potentially draw reactions from other international actors with significant interests in the Caribbean and broader Latin American region.

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