Venezuela ‘Completely Surrounded’ As Trump Orders Blockade Over ‘Stolen’ US Assets
U.S. military operations targeting drug trafficking near Venezuela have intensified in recent months, with officials confirming a series of strikes aimed at disrupting narcotics smuggling routes. Since September, there have been at least 22 strikes on suspected trafficking boats operating in waters near Venezuela, resulting in 87 deaths, according to U.S. officials.
American officials view these maritime actions as part of a broader pressure campaign directed at Caracas, intended not only to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States but also to weaken the grip of Nicolás Maduro on the oil-rich country.
That campaign escalated sharply this week after President Donald Trump announced that U.S. authorities had seized an oil tanker known as the “Skipper” off Venezuela’s coast. The move significantly raised tensions between Washington and Caracas. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the vessel was confiscated for allegedly transporting sanctioned oil linked to both Venezuela and Iran.
According to the administration, the “Skipper” is part of a shadow network of roughly 1,000 vessels that move oil from countries under international sanctions, including Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. These tankers operate covertly, often avoiding detection as they traverse major shipping lanes.
Officials say such so-called “ghost ships” typically sail under foreign flags to disguise their origins, frequently change names, cycle ownership through shell companies, shut off tracking transponders, and conduct ship-to-ship transfers at sea to conceal the source of their cargo.
Reuters reported that the “Skipper” had taken on approximately 1.8 million barrels of oil earlier in December and transferred an estimated 200,000 barrels shortly before U.S. authorities seized the vessel.
Based on prevailing oil prices, the value of the cargo was estimated to range from several million dollars to more than $100 million. Fox News Digital contacted the White House seeking further clarification on the valuation but did not receive an immediate response.
Against this backdrop, President Trump announced sweeping new measures against Venezuela, ordering a complete shutdown of oil tanker traffic tied to the country and formally designating the Maduro government as a foreign terrorist organization. He accused the regime of profiting from assets he said were stolen from the United States and using them to bankroll criminal enterprises.
“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” Trump said on Truth Social. “It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before – Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us.”
He went on to accuse Caracas of using oil revenues to fuel violent and illicit activity. “The illegitimate Maduro Regime is using Oil from these stolen Oil Fields to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping,” he continued. “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 then formally announced the blockade, tying it to broader immigration and national security efforts. “Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela,” Trump added. “The Illegal Aliens and Criminals that the Maduro Regime has sent into the United States during the weak and inept Biden Administration, are being returned to Venezuela at a rapid pace. America will not allow Criminals, Terrorists, or other Countries, to rob, threaten, or harm our Nation and, likewise, will not allow a Hostile Regime to take our Oil, Land, or any other Assets, all of which must be returned to the United States, IMMEDIATELY.”
{Matzav.com}
