Donald Trump surrounds Venezuela with ‘largest armada in the history of South America’,orders blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers

 

....Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers, Escalating Regional Tensions

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, a "total and complete blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in his administration's pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The move targets Venezuela's primary revenue source amid accusations that the Maduro government uses oil proceeds to fund drug trafficking, terrorism, and other crimes.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump declared Venezuela "completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America," warning that the naval presence "will only get bigger" until Caracas returns "all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us." He also designated the Maduro regime a foreign terrorist organization, citing alleged involvement in drug smuggling, human trafficking, and kidnapping.

The blockade follows the U.S. seizure last week of a sanctioned oil tanker carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, described by the administration as part of efforts to disrupt illicit shipping networks. The tanker, reportedly flagged under Guyana and named Skipper in some accounts, was intercepted in international waters and redirected to a U.S. port.

Venezuela swiftly condemned the announcement as a violation of international law, free trade, and freedom of navigation. In a statement, the government accused Trump of treating Venezuelan resources as U.S. property and aiming to "steal the wealth that belongs to our nation" through an "utterly irrational" naval blockade. President Maduro vowed to continue oil trade, rejecting claims of illegitimacy and framing the U.S. actions as "piracy" and "plunder."

The escalation is part of Operation Southern Spear, a counternarcotics campaign launched under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, involving nearly a dozen Navy ships—including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford—and around 12,000 to 15,000 personnel deployed in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. U.S. forces have conducted at least 25 strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking since September 2025, resulting in approximately 95 deaths. The administration defends these as lawful operations against designated terrorist groups, while critics, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, have labeled them "extrajudicial killings" in violation of international law.

International observers have raised alarms over the strikes' legality, with Türk calling for halts and investigations into attacks that have killed dozens in international waters. Allies like the United Kingdom have reportedly expressed concerns that some actions breach global norms.

Venezuela, holder of the world's largest proven oil reserves with daily production around 900,000 to 1 million barrels, has relied on a "shadow fleet" of unflagged or sanctioned tankers to evade U.S. restrictions imposed since 2017. The blockade targets hundreds of vessels on sanctions lists, potentially reducing exports by up to 300,000 barrels per day, though enforcement details remain unclear. Oil markets reacted with price increases amid fears of supply disruptions.

Trump's demands for assets appear to reference historical expropriations under late President Hugo Chávez, who nationalized oil fields and seized assets from U.S. companies like ExxonMobil in 2007. Recent reports suggest Maduro offered concessions on oil and minerals during indirect talks to ease pressure.

The U.S. buildup includes amphibious assault ships, destroyers, helicopters, V-22 Ospreys, and P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft, providing extensive surveillance and strike capabilities. Trump has hinted at expanding operations to land-based targets, heightening fears of broader conflict.

Maduro's government has mobilized militias and sought UN intervention, denouncing the campaign as a pretext for regime change and resource seizure. Regional allies like Cuba have voiced solidarity, while divisions in Latin America complicate unified responses.

As tensions mount, the blockade risks disrupting global energy markets and provoking confrontations on the high seas. Analysts warn of potential economic collapse in Venezuela, already strained by sanctions, and broader implications for international maritime law.