Venezuela Decries U.S. Oil Blockade as ‘Irrational’ Theft Attempt

Venezuela has vehemently denounced Trump’s proclamation of an absolute blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering and departing the nation. The Venezuelan government cautioned that this action could further exacerbate the already struggling economy.

In previous statements, Trump declared that his administration had formally classified Venezuela’s existing government as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The reasoning behind this designation included accusations of terrorism, involvement in drug and human trafficking, and the misappropriation of United States assets.

On Tuesday, Trump took to Truth Social to assert that Venezuela is encircled by an unprecedented naval force, the largest ever gathered in South American history. He pledged to amplify the blockade if Venezuela does not return what he alleged to be “stolen oil, land, and other assets.”

He further stated that due to “the theft of our assets, and numerous other factors, such as terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking, the Venezuelan regime has been classified as a foreign terrorist organization.”

Trump announced a “total and complete” blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or exiting Venezuela, intensifying U.S. pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s administration.

The government led by Nicolás Maduro released an official statement on Tuesday, alleging that Trump plans to enforce a naval blockade on Venezuela in an irrational move aimed at seizing the country’s resources.

The Venezuelan government has accused Washington of engaging in economic sabotage and has urged the international community to stand against what it describes as a “modern-day piracy campaign” targeting a sovereign nation.

Venezuela’s significant oil reserves have emerged as a crucial, albeit frequently unspoken, element influencing Trump administration’s policy towards Caracas. This is in addition to its declared intention of combating “drug trafficking and authoritarianism,” as highlighted in an opinion piece by *The New York Times*.

The article highlights the recent efforts by María Corina Machado, who is recognized as Venezuela’s primary opposition leader supported by the US and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She addressed a business conference in Miami via live video. The event was attended by American business leaders and political personalities, among whom was Trump.

In her statement, Machado highlighted what she termed a “$1.7 trillion opportunity,” committing to a future Venezuela that would welcome foreign investments in its oil, gas, mineral, and power sectors. The article mentions that she has consistently advocated for Venezuela’s investment potential to U.S. audiences, including during a podcast appearance with Trump Jr.

The article highlights that although the Trump administration references drug trafficking as a rationale to exert pressure on Maduro, Venezuela is not a leading drug producer, with most narcotics transiting to Europe. Behind closed doors, U.S. officials are more concerned with Venezuela’s extensive oil resources.

In a recent opinion piece by *The New York Times*, Trump’s previous public remarks regarding Venezuela’s energy assets have been brought back into focus, particularly following a recent seizure by the United States of an oil tanker transporting Venezuelan crude through the Caribbean waters. Trump announced that the United States intends to keep the cargo, a decision the article suggests might be subject to legal scrutiny and potential challenges.

The recent seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker by the United States has been characterized as a significant escalation in Trump’s ongoing campaign against Venezuelan leader Maduro. This campaign reportedly includes at least 25 boat attacks, leading to a minimum of 95 fatalities. These actions are being viewed by various legal experts as potentially illegal and extrajudicial.