VENEZUELA BLOCKADE: Donald Trump Orders “Total and Complete” Shutdown of Sanctioned Oil Tankers in Dramatic Escalation of US Aggression
- US President Donald Trump has announced a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, citing “theft of US assets, terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking”
- The move comes after the US seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, sparking a furious response from President Nicolas Maduro, who called the blockade a “grotesque threat” and a violation of international law
- The Venezuelan government has denounced the US action, saying it is a bid to “steal the riches of a country” and warning that it will defend its homeland against “imperialism and the fascist right”
In a dramatic escalation of US aggression, Donald Trump has ordered a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. The move is a response to what the US president claims is Venezuela’s “theft of US assets, terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking”.
The announcement follows the seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week, which sparked a furious response from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro called the blockade a “grotesque threat” and a violation of international law, saying it revealed the true intentions of Donald Trump to “steal the riches of a country” through “gigantic campaigns of lies and manipulation”.
In a defiant speech, Maduro vowed to defend his country against “imperialism and the fascist right”, saying Venezuela had “proven to be a strong country” in the face of US pressure. He also praised his country’s ability to endure “multidimensional aggression” and “psychological terrorism” while the US has increased pressure on the country.
The blockade is the latest move in a long-standing campaign of pressure by the US against Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven oil reserves and produces about 1 million barrels a day. The US has imposed a suite of sanctions against Venezuela, including measures that threaten to lock out of its economy any American individual or company that does business with the Maduro government.
Experts say the impact of the blockade on global oil prices will be limited, as Venezuela’s oil production has declined significantly in recent years due to years! of mismanagement and corruption. However, the move could have significant implications for China, which is a major importer of Venezuelan oil.
The US Navy currently has at least 11 ships, including an aircraft carrier and several amphibious assault ships, in the region, according to reports. Those ships carry a wide complement of aircraft, including helicopters and V-22 Ospreys. Additionally, the navy has been operating a handful of P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in the region.