Trump orders “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers

Donald Trump has ordered what he called “a total and complete” blockade of all US-sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, sharply escalating Washington’s confrontation with Caracas and prompting warnings that the move could amount to an act of war.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday evening, the US president claimed Venezuela was already encircled by American naval power.

“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” Trump wrote.

He justified the move by accusing the Venezuelan government of criminal activity and formally framing it as a security threat.

“For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,” Trump said.

“Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela.”

Caracas responded swiftly, rejecting what it described as an unlawful and aggressive threat. In an official statement, the Venezuelan government condemned Trump’s announcement as irrational and predatory.

“The President of the United States intends to impose, in an utterly irrational manner, a supposed naval blockade on Venezuela with the aim of stealing the riches that belong to our homeland,” the statement said, calling the move a “grotesque threat”.

Earlier, President Nicolas Maduro warned that “the world will rise up against piracy and oil plunder” following what his government has described as the US “theft” of a Venezuelan oil tanker last week. The vessel, the Skipper, was seized by US forces off Venezuela’s coast and reportedly taken to Texas to unload its crude cargo.

The growing standoff has also drawn in other global powers. Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned on Wednesday that rising tensions around Venezuela could have “unpredictable consequences for the entire West”, according to the TASS state news agency.

Inside the United States, the blockade order has triggered alarm among lawmakers. Congressman Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, said Trump’s action crossed a dangerous line.

“Trump’s blockade is unquestionably an act of war,” Castro wrote on social media.

“A war that the Congress never authorized and the American people do not want,” he added.

Castro said members of the House of Representatives would vote on Thursday on a resolution “directing the President to end hostilities with Venezuela”.

“Every member of the House of Representatives will have the opportunity to decide if they support sending Americans into yet another regime change war,” he said.