Wed Dec 17 12:23:33 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Announces Total Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Tankers, Declares Maduro Regime “Foreign Terrorist Organization”

WASHINGTON D.C. – December 17, 2025 – In a dramatic escalation of tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a complete naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, effective immediately. He simultaneously designated the government of President Nicolas Maduro as a “foreign terrorist organization.”

In a social media statement released late Tuesday, Mr. Trump accused the Maduro regime of using stolen U.S. oil resources to finance “drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping.” He declared that the blockade was necessary to prevent these alleged activities and reclaim assets he claims were stolen.

“Therefore, today, I am ordering a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela,” Mr. Trump wrote.

This announcement follows the recent seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker off the U.S. coast and a series of air strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific targeting boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The U.S. is also bolstering its military presence around Venezuela, deploying the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean. Advanced military aircraft, including F-35A stealth fighters, are now stationed in Puerto Rico.

President Trump stated that Venezuela is “completely surrounded by the largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America,” promising an unprecedented shock to the Maduro regime.

Venezuelan President Maduro responded to the earlier tanker seizure with defiance, accusing Washington of “naval piracy.” Following the blockade announcement, the Venezuelan government issued a statement condemning the U.S. action as an “irrational” attempt to steal the country’s wealth and reiterated its commitment to resisting foreign domination.

Despite Maduro’s defiance, the U.S. blockade is expected to severely impact the Venezuelan economy, which relies on crude oil sales for over 90% of its export income. The blockade could cripple the country’s “shadow fleet,” primarily used to transport oil to China, potentially paralyzing its oil traffic and squeezing government finances.

Maria Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader and recent Nobel Peace Prize recipient, has publicly expressed her support for President Trump’s strategy on Venezuela. U.S. officials have made it clear that the Trump administration aims to force Maduro from power, with Mr. Trump himself stating earlier this month that Maduro’s “days are numbered.” The White House has further signaled its intent to seize additional tankers carrying Venezuelan fuel.

“America will not allow criminals, terrorists, or other countries, to rob, threaten, or harm our nation and, likewise, will not allow a hostile regime to take our oil, land, or any other assets, all of which must be returned to the United States, immediately,” Mr. Trump stated.

This is a developing story.

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