President Donald Trump announced on December 16, 2025, via Truth Social, a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. This escalates U.S. pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, targeting the country’s primary revenue source amid an ongoing military buildup in the region.
Key Details from Trump’s Announcement
Trump stated:
“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America. It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us.”
He accused the “illegitimate Maduro regime” of using oil revenues to finance “drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping,” and designated the Venezuelan regime a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
The blockade targets only sanctioned tankers, not all vessels (e.g., those operated by U.S.-authorized Chevron are exempt). It follows the U.S. seizure of a tanker (M/T Skipper) on December 10, 2025, carrying Venezuelan crude, which was deemed involved in transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
Background and Context
- U.S. sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector date back to 2019 (intensified under Trump’s first term), with recent tightenings in 2025.
- Venezuela holds the world’s largest oil reserves but exports mostly to China via “shadow fleets” to evade sanctions.
- Recent U.S. actions include strikes on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and a massive naval deployment.
- Oil exports have already stalled post-seizure, with millions of barrels stranded.
Reactions
- Venezuela: Maduro condemned it as “piracy” and “multidimensional aggression,” vowing to defend the homeland.
- U.S. Critics: Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) called it “unquestionably an act of war” without congressional authorization.
- Market Impact: Minor rise in oil prices (to ~$56/barrel); experts say limited global effect due to well-supplied markets and exemptions.
This move heightens tensions, with unclear enforcement details and potential for further seizures or escalations, including threatened land strikes.
References
- [¹] CNN – “Trump orders ‘total and complete blockade’ of sanctioned oil tankers coming to and leaving Venezuela” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [²] The New York Times – “Trump Orders Blockade of Some Oil Tankers Around Venezuela” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [³] Reuters – “Trump orders ‘blockade’ of sanctioned oil tankers leaving, entering Venezuela” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁴] CBS News – “Trump orders “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers in Venezuela” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁵] The Guardian – “Trump orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁶] Al Jazeera – “Trump orders naval blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁷] NBC News – “Trump orders blockade of ‘sanctioned oil tankers’ entering Venezuela and leaving the South American country” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁸] Axios – “Trump orders oil tankers blockade in Venezuela, labels Maduro regime a “terrorist” group” (Dec 16, 2025)
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