Trump Intensifies Pressure: Total Blockade on Venezuelan Oil Tankers

In a dramatic escalation, President Trump announced a 'total blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela, designating it a 'foreign terrorist organization.' This move targets Venezuela's key economic lifeline—oil exports—and coincides with military pressure and threats of possible land strikes on Venezuelan soil.

In a significant move to tighten the screws on the Venezuelan government, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a 'total and complete blockade' on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the nation, effectively choking its crucial oil exports. This decision comes amidst heightened tensions and serves as a severe measure against Nicolas Maduro's regime.

President Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, characterized Venezuela as a 'foreign terrorist organization,' accusing the Maduro government of utilizing oil revenue to support 'drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping.' This announcement underscores the Trump administration's assertive stance toward Venezuela, linking the move with efforts to curb illegal immigration from Venezuela to the U.S.

The blockade is part of a broader strategy that includes assembling a large naval presence in South America and issuing threats of potential land strikes against Caracas. Additional pressure comes as Washington targets Venezuela's oil industry—its principal economic artery. Trump seeks to regain access to Venezuela's vast oil resources should Maduro be ousted, amid discussions of the complex relationship between Venezuela's state-owned PDVSA and U.S.-based Chevron.

(With inputs from agencies.)