Trump Orders Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Tankers
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers, sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. The move targets vessels tied to Venezuela’s oil exports, the country’s main source of income and a lifeline for its fragile economy.
Trump defended the decision by accusing President Nicola's and Maduro’s government of using oil revenue to bankroll criminal networks and destabilizing activities beyond Venezuela’s borders.
By restricting oil shipments, the blockade aims to tighten economic pressure and push for political change. The announcement has rattled global energy markets.
Oil prices jumped as traders weighed the risk of supply disruptions, while Venezuela condemned the action as illegal and a violation of international law. Regional experts warn the move could deepen the country’s humanitarian crisis and raise the risk of a wider regional confrontation.
This showdown goes beyond U.S.–Venezuelan relations. It could reshape global oil dynamics, impact Latin American stability, and signal how Washington intends to deal with other sanctioned governments in the years ahead.
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Will tougher economic pressure spark change or drive the crisis even further out of control?
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