Trump Demands Return of Seized Oil Assets in Venezuela

President Donald Trump has called for Venezuela to return assets seized from US oil companies, stating it justifies his call for a blockade against Venezuelan oil tankers under American sanctions. The move is part of a pressure campaign against leader Nicolás Maduro, citing disputes over oil investments and drug trafficking.

President Donald Trump has intensified his stance against Venezuela, demanding the return of assets seized from US oil companies. This demand reinforces his recent announcement of a blockade against Venezuelan oil tankers under American sanctions.

In responding to questions about his tactic, Trump highlighted the lost American investments as a motive behind the pressure campaign against Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro. The US accuses Maduro's government of using oil to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities.

The Venezuelan oil industry, nationalized first in the 1970s and later expanded by Hugo Chávez and Maduro, has been at the center of US-Venezuelan relations. Trump has also linked his actions to efforts to combat narcotics trafficking, while Venezuela has denounced US actions as piracy and urged the UN to intervene.

(With inputs from agencies.)