U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping new measures targeting Venezuela in a post published on Truth Social. He said the United States has ordered a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from the country.
According to Trump, the decision follows what he described as the theft of U.S. oil, land, and other assets by the government of President Nicolás Maduro. He accused the Maduro administration of using oil revenues to finance criminal activity, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping.
Trump stated that the Venezuelan government has been designated a “Foreign Terrorist Organization,” citing terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking among the reasons for the designation.
In his statement, Trump also claimed that Venezuela is surrounded by what he described as “the largest Armada ever assembled in the history of South America,” adding that the military presence will continue to expand.
He further said that migrants and criminals allegedly sent to the United States by the Maduro government during the Biden administration are now being returned to Venezuela “at a rapid pace.”
Trump said the blockade will remain in place until Venezuela returns what he described as stolen U.S. assets. He added that the United States “will not allow criminals, terrorists, or other countries” to threaten or harm the nation or take its assets.
The announcement signals a sharply escalated stance on Venezuela and energy-related maritime trade, though no further operational or legal details were provided in the statement.
