U.S. President Donald Trump has designated the Venezuelan government as a
foreign terrorist organization
. Alongside this declaration, Trump has announced a complete halt on the movement of U.S.-restricted oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea, significantly disrupting the flow of Venezuelan oil tankers.
This announcement has fueled unprecedented tension between the U.S. and Venezuela. Trump, making a sensational statement on his social media platform Truth Social, declared, "Venezuela's government has been deemed a foreign terrorist organization due to theft of our resources and concerns such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. Hence, today I am ordering a full blockade of all restricted oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela."
Venezuela is surrounded...
Issuing a stern warning, Trump wrote, "Venezuela is now completely surrounded by the largest fleet of warships in South American history. The forces surrounding them grow even larger, and they will be struck like never before unless they return all the oil, land, and other assets they have previously stolen from us."
Continuing the warning, Trump stated, "The unlawful Maduro regime uses the stolen oil fields to finance its agenda of drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping. Due to multiple reasons including theft, trafficking, and terrorism, the Venezuelan government has been designated a foreign terrorist organization. Therefore, today I am ordering a complete blockade on all restricted oil tankers entering or exiting Venezuela."
On Truth Social, Trump also noted that illegal immigrants and criminals sent by the Maduro government during the Biden administration are being swiftly deported back to Venezuela.
The U.S. President emphasized that America will not allow criminals, terrorists, or other nations to loot or threaten and harm the U.S., nor will any enemy government be allowed to take our oil, land, or other properties. These must immediately be returned to America.
The brink of conflict: U.S. and Venezuela
The recent days have seen an escalating conflict between U.S. President Trump and Venezuelan President Maduro. Just a few days ago, the U.S. seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, an action Venezuela termed as theft.
President Trump has accused Nicolás Maduro's government of drug trafficking and has ramped up military presence in the Caribbean, including the world's largest aircraft carrier and thousands of troops. Several alleged drug boats have been targeted, resulting in numerous deaths. On December 10, a Venezuelan oil tanker (Skipper) was seized off the coast, which Maduro denounced as "maritime piracy."
Following these events, Trump imposed new sanctions involving Maduro's family and companies linked to oil exports. He has issued an ultimatum for Maduro to relinquish power, which Maduro has firmly rejected.
