Clarion Newschannel Exclusive Report –
December 18, 2025
Washington, D.C. – In a dramatic escalation of U.S. pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday a “total and complete blockade” targeting all U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The move, described by Trump as necessary to counter terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking, follows the recent U.S. seizure of a sanctioned tanker and a significant military buildup in the Caribbean region.
Trump made the declaration in a post on Truth Social, stating: “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. Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela.”
The announcement comes just days after U.S. forces seized the oil tanker Skipper off Venezuela’s coast, a vessel loaded with approximately 2 million barrels of heavy crude and previously involved in transporting Iranian oil. The seizure, executed under a federal warrant, marked a rare direct interdiction of Venezuelan oil exports and has already disrupted shipping, with many loaded tankers remaining anchored in Venezuelan waters to avoid potential capture.
Analysts estimate that more than 30 sanctioned vessels are currently operating in or near Venezuelan waters, part of a “shadow fleet” used to evade longstanding U.S. sanctions imposed since 2019 on Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA. While the blockade specifically targets sanctioned tankers, its enforcement could significantly impact Venezuela’s oil exports, which account for the vast majority of the country’s revenue and hover around 900,000 barrels per day.
The Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the order as a “grotesque threat” and an irrational attempt to steal the nation’s resources, violating international law and freedom of navigation. President Maduro, speaking prior to Trump’s post, vowed to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty against what he called imperialist aggression aimed at its oil, gas, and mineral wealth.
Critics in the U.S., including Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas, labeled the blockade “unquestionably an act of war” without congressional authorization. The U.S. has deployed nearly a dozen warships, including aircraft carriers, to the region—the largest naval presence in decades—raising fears of further confrontation.
Oil markets reacted modestly, with prices rising about 1% to around $56 per barrel on Wednesday, as traders assessed potential supply disruptions. However, experts note that non-sanctioned exports, including those by U.S. company Chevron under a licensed exception, are likely unaffected.
The blockade intensifies a months-long U.S. campaign that has included military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels and additional sanctions. As tensions mount, the international community watches closely for signs of de-escalation or further escalation in this high-stakes geopolitical standoff.
Clarion Newschannel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they unfold
Trump Orders “Total Blockade” on Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions
