President Donald Trump has ordered a “total and complete blockade” of oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social Tuesday night, echoing his previous sentiments about the country, President Nicolás Maduro and the drug trade.
“The illegitimate Maduro Regime is using Oil from these stolen Oil Fields to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping. 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,” Trump said in the post.
The president said that a large Armada has been assembled surrounding Venezuela, with more resources expected to arrive.
On Monday, Maduro accused the U.S. of “kidnapping” crew members after the seizure of an oil tanker by U.S. forces on December 10.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to come.
