Trump enforces a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers, citing national security and ties to terrorism, following the seizure of the M/T Skipper.
US President Donald Trump has ordered a "total and complete" blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, according to reports from Saint Petersburg's PortNews.
In a statement amplified by the White House, Trump declared that Venezuela is "completely surrounded by the largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America." He emphasized that all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela would be blocked.
This announcement follows the US seizure of the crude tanker M/T Skipper. The Department of Justice reported that the vessel was boarded and seized by the US Coast Guard while departing Venezuela, under a warrant signed on November 26 by a magistrate judge.
The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control had previously identified the Skipper, formerly known as Adisa, as part of an oil shipping network supporting Hizballah and Iran's IRGC-Qods Force, both designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the US State Department.
US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro stated that her office remains committed to supporting Trump's efforts. Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel noted that this action highlights successful initiatives to impose costs on Venezuela and Iran.
In response, Venezuela's government rejected the blockade in an official statement, labeling it a "grotesque threat" and asserting that it violates international law and freedom of navigation.
