Trump Demands the return of “all of the oil, land, and other assets previously stolen from us.
President Trump called Venezuela a foreign terrorist organization. AFP via Getty Images
President Trump has announced a “total and complete blockade” of all oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela, declaring the country a “foreign terrorist organization” and demanding the return of “all of the oil, land, and other assets that they previously stole from us.”
“Today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela,” Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday.
“America will not allow criminals, terrorists, or other countries to rob, threaten, or harm our nation, and we will not allow a hostile regime to take our oil, land, or other assets—all of which must be returned to the United States immediately,” he added. While the specific oil and land Trump referenced are unclear, some were previously nationalized under Hugo Chávez, who took control of stakes from foreign companies like ExxonMobil.
Venezuela holds the world’s largest known oil reserves, producing roughly 1 million barrels per day. U.S. sanctions have largely cut the country off from global markets, pushing Venezuela to sell much of its oil through black-market channels in China at steep discounts.
Trump’s blockade follows last week’s seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela’s coast and is part of a broader campaign of pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Over recent weeks, the administration has carried out strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats in the Caribbean Sea, reportedly killing more than 95 people in 25 incidents, while deploying military assets including at least 10 Navy ships, an aircraft carrier, and amphibious assault vessels.
“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America,” Trump said. “It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before.”
Trump accused the Maduro regime of using oil revenues from “stolen oil fields” to fund drug trafficking, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping.
Earlier this month, Trump hinted at possible strikes inside Venezuela. His chief of staff, Susie Wiles, suggested the ultimate goal is to force Maduro from power, telling Vanity Fair: “He wants to keep on blowing boats up until [President Nicolás] Maduro cries uncle. And people way smarter than me say that he will.”
Trump also criticized the Biden administration as “weak and inept,” highlighting efforts to return Venezuelan migrants to their home country.
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