Trump orders total blockade of sanctioned oil tankers in, out of Venezuela

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (YPA) – President Donald Trump has ordered a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela.

This move marks a major escalation in US pressure aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

In a post on social media Tuesday night, Trump alleged Venezuela was using oil to fund drug trafficking and other crimes and vowed to continue the military buildup until the country gave the US oil, land and assets, though it was not clear why he felt the US had a claim.

“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform.

“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.”

Oil prices rose more than 1% on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump ordered “a total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, according to Reuters .

On Tuesday, Venezuela submitted a formal letter to the United Nations Security Council Presidency, officially condemning the United States’ action against a private vessel dedicated to legitimate international trade.

Venezuela alleged that Washington ‘stole’ the vessel—which was transporting Venezuelan oil—from the Caribbean Sea, describing Washington’s actions as a dangerous use of force, kidnapping, and piracy.

@E.Y.M