Washington: US President Donald Trump has ordered a sweeping blockade of oil tankers linked to sanctions that are entering or leaving Venezuela, marking one of the most aggressive steps taken by Washington against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The directive, announced on Monday, aims to choke off Venezuela’s crucial oil exports and intensify pressure on Caracas amid renewed tensions between the two countries.
According to US officials, the order authorizes American forces to prevent sanctioned vessels from transporting Venezuelan crude, a move intended to deprive the Maduro administration of revenue that Washington claims is being used to sustain corruption, repression, and criminal networks. The White House said the action is part of a broader strategy to protect US national security and counter what it described as destabilizing activities emanating from Venezuela.
President Trump, speaking through an official statement, accused the Venezuelan government of operating in close coordination with transnational criminal and militant groups, including those involved in drug trafficking. He argued that allowing sanctioned oil shipments to continue would undermine US sanctions policy and embolden what he termed a “hostile regime” in the Western Hemisphere.
While the administration has not released full operational details, the order raises the prospect of US naval or coast guard forces intercepting or turning back tankers that fall under existing sanctions. Legal experts have noted that a blockade is an extraordinary measure, traditionally associated with armed conflict, and could raise questions under international law. Critics in the United States have warned that such an action may exceed presidential authority without explicit congressional approval, potentially risking a broader confrontation.
The announcement had an immediate impact on global energy markets. Oil prices rose as traders reacted to the possibility of further disruptions to Venezuelan supply, which has already been constrained by years of sanctions, mismanagement, and declining production. Analysts said even limited enforcement of the blockade could further reduce exports from the OPEC member, tightening supply at a time of ongoing volatility in global oil markets.
Venezuela’s government reacted sharply, condemning the US decision as an illegal act of economic aggression and a violation of its sovereignty. Officials in Caracas accused Washington of attempting to impose a de facto naval blockade and warned that the move would worsen humanitarian conditions in the country, where oil revenues remain the backbone of the economy.
The blockade order comes amid a broader buildup of US military assets in the region and follows recent actions by Washington, including the seizure of sanctioned vessels and tighter enforcement against intermediaries accused of helping Venezuela sell oil abroad. Observers say the latest step signals a return to a “maximum pressure” approach, aimed at forcing political change in Caracas by cutting off its access to global markets.
Regional governments and international observers are closely watching how the situation unfolds, concerned that the measure could heighten instability in Latin America and increase migration pressures. As the order moves toward implementation, uncertainty remains over how aggressively it will be enforced and whether it could trigger retaliation or legal challenges on the international stage.