The conflict between the U.S. and the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is escalating once again. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on December 16 what he called a "complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers going into or out of Venezuela. Here is the latest on this developing situation.

Trump Announces "Complete Blockade" of Oil Tankers Off Coast of Venezuela

President Trump took to social media last Tuesday to say that the "largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America" is now surrounding Venezuela. In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that the blockade will only intensify, stating that "the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before." The president said that the blockade will last until Venezuela returns the "oil, land, and other assets they previously stole" to the U.S.  

Trump did not confirm what stolen oil and land he was referencing. However, the government of Venezuela did expropriate assets from various U.S. oil companies in 2007 under former President Hugo Chavez, Maduro's predecessor.

Government officials in the South American country responded to Trump's social media declaration by calling it a "reckless and serious threat." The Venezuelans also said that the blockade violates international law and free trade, saying that Trump is acting "in an absolutely irrational manner."

The Venezuelan government went on to say that its United Nations (UN) ambassador will formally denounce what they claim is a significant violation of international law. The response also urged the world to reject Trump's plans.

The move to set up a blockade is particularly meaningful due to Venezuela's contributions to the oil industry. The nation has the largest known oil reserves on the planet, with oil exports serving as the main source of revenue.

The latest update notes that the U.S. currently has positioned 11 warships in the Caribbean, the greatest military presence in this part of the world in decades. Despite the large presence, military experts say that 11 ships are not enough to completely seal the coastline.

However, Trump's social media declaration could be a signal that the U.S. is going to seize more tankers. It was just last week that the U.S. seized a sanctioned oil tanker that was located off the coast of Venezuela. American officials said that the tanker was part of an illicit oil shipping network under the direction of a foreign terrorist organization. This particular tanker was reportedly headed to Cuba. Maduro claimed that the seizure was an "act of international piracy."

Broader History of Conflict with Venezuela

Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on six more tankers and six shipping companies last week. These tankers were the White Crane, Kiara M, H Constance, Lattafa, Tamia, and Monique. According to the Treasury Department, the sanctions are intended to target the oil industry in Venezuela. The department continues to assert that the money from the oil sector is being used to fund Maduro's illegitimate regime.

The U.S. has also hinted that additional sanctions on vessels may be imposed in the days ahead. The previous sanctions were part of a larger plan that also sanctioned three members of the Maduro family.

It is not unusual for the U.S. government to impose sanctions on vessels as a form of punishment against other countries. In January of 2025, the U.S. sanctioned a total of 183 Russian tankers. More recently, the U.S. sanctioned 170 tanks associated with Iran's oil trade in November.

The conflict between the U.S. and Venezuela went up another notch in September when the U.S. began to launch strikes on vessels reportedly transporting drugs in the Caribbean. The White House said that the strikes are intended to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. These strikes have been responsible for at least 95 fatalities.

Trump's warning on Tuesday came the same day that Vanity Fair released a story in which White House chief of staff Susie Wiles was quoted as saying that the president "wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle." This statement is in line with Trump's recent denunciation of Maduro's administration as a "hostile regime." The Trump team has not been shy about the fact that forcing Maduro out of leadership is a major goal.

The U.S. has long considered Maduro to be the head of an illicit government. However, Trump is taking the acknowledgement further in recent months. For example, Trump said that Maduro was the leader of a foreign terrorist organization last month.

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