U.S. President Donald Trump declared Venezuela’s government a “terrorist” organization, escalating Washington’s pressure campaign by ordering a “complete and total blockade” on all sanctioned oil tankers moving to and from the South American nation.
In a post on his personal Truth Social page, Trump stated that “For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela.”
President Nicolás Maduro has previously accused Washington of targeting Venezuela’s oil industry, which remains largely geared towards exports to China. With the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela’s natural resources are seen by some analysts as a potential leverage in negotiations with Trump, who has consistently championed the fossil fuel industry.
Despite ongoing sanctions, select Western companies such as Chevron—operating under a U.S. government waiver—continue to do business in Venezuela. Nevertheless, overall output remains far below potential, constrained by years of sanctions that have deterred fresh investment and left the sector short of vital equipment and parts.
It is believed that while Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves are likely to attract Trump’s attention, a more pressing concern for his administration is that a nation rich in oil, minerals, and rare earth metals, located within the Americas, maintains strong alliances with strategic competitors such as China and Russia.
