CARACAS, Dec 17 (BBC): US President Donald Trump has ordered "a total and complete" blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela - a move that Caracas has denounced as "warmongering threats".
Trump wrote that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government had been designated a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO), which had also engaged in "Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking".
His remarks come after the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week - a move that was seen as significant given Venezuela's reliance on oil.
The US has also recently conducted deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats, and has significantly built up its naval presence nearby.
Venezuela - home tothe world's largest proven oil reserves - has, in turn, accused Washington of seeking to steal its resources.
In his Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump wrote that Venezuela was "completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America". He added that it would "only get bigger" and "be like nothing they have ever seen before".
Trump also accused Maduro's government of using "stolen" oil to "finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping".
Venezuela denounces Trump's order for ship blockade
Caracas terms the move as 'warmongering threats'
FE Team | Published: December 17, 2025 21:46:06
Venezuela denounces Trump's order for ship blockade
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