US President Donald Trump has ordered a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela - a move denounced by Caracas as warmongering threats.
Trump wrote that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government had been designated a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), which had also engaged in Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking.
His remarks come after the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week, a significant action in light of the South American nation's reliance on oil.
The US has also recently conducted deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats, and has significantly built up its naval presence nearby.
Trump's post did not give further detail of how the wide-ranging blockade on sanctioned oil tankers would be enforced.
As of last week, more than 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.
Multiple new US sanctions on ships said to be carrying Venezuelan oil were issued after the tanker was seized. Sanctions were also placed on some of President Maduro's relatives and on businesses associated with what the US called his illegitimate regime.
In his Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump wrote that Venezuela was completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America. He added that it would only get bigger and be like nothing they have ever seen before.
Trump also accused Maduro's government of using stolen oil to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping.
Tuesday's post from Trump suggested that a label the US had previously applied only to Maduro was now being widened to his whole government.
In response to the recent US actions, Venezuela has accused Washington of seeking to steal its resources.
Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuela of drug smuggling and stated that the US military has killed about 100 people with its strikes on boats allegedly carrying drugs over recent months. However, public evidence backing these claims remains sparse.
Venezuela is heavily dependent on oil exports, despite its production being limited.
The White House stated that the seized tanker was involved in illicit oil shipping, prompting Maduro's government to issue statements decrying the US actions as theft and aggression.
The US has been building its military presence in the Caribbean, with significant deployments aimed at countering Venezuela, leading to allegations of warlike intentions from US lawmakers.
Amid these developments, Venezuela's human rights situation continues to draw international scrutiny, with accusations of civic oppression and rights abuses under Maduro's regime.
