Trump Orders Complete Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Tankers Amid Military Buildup and Terror Designation

Dec 17, 2025 09:40 am CST

President Trump has ordered a complete blockade of sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela, escalating pressure on the Maduro regime amid an unprecedented US military buildup in the region. The move follows the seizure of an oil tanker by US forces and accompanies Trump's claim of designating Venezuela's government as a "foreign terrorist organization." This dramatic action aims to further restrict Venezuela's oil-dependent economy while demanding the return of purported US assets.