U.S. President Donald Trump issued a fresh caution to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday as the U.S. Coast Guard intensifies its operations to intercept oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea. This move is part of the Trump administration’s increasing pressure tactics against the government in Caracas.
Speaking alongside his key national security advisers, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump hinted at potential further escalation in his ongoing four-month campaign against the Maduro regime. Initially aimed at curbing illegal drug trafficking from Venezuela, the campaign has evolved into broader objectives.
Trump warned Maduro, stating that if he continues to act tough, it would be his last stand. He announced plans for the Navy to construct a new, sizable warship during a break from his Florida vacation.
The latest threat from Trump comes as the U.S. Coast Guard pursues a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean for a second consecutive day. The tanker, part of what the White House describes as Venezuela’s “dark fleet,” is reportedly operating under false pretenses and is subject to a U.S. judicial seizure order.
The ongoing pursuit marks the third tanker targeted by the Coast Guard. In a previous incident, the Coast Guard, with Navy assistance, seized a Panama-flagged vessel named Centuries, identified as part of Venezuela’s clandestine fleet.
Following the seizure of another sanctioned tanker called Skipper on December 10, Trump had indicated a forthcoming blockade against Venezuela, reiterating his stance on Maduro’s tenuous hold on power.
Meanwhile, tanker activities in Venezuela witnessed a decline, with most ships observed transferring oil within domestic ports. Notably, a tanker linked to the shadow fleet was seen moving between Venezuelan refineries, reflecting the country’s diminished oil production compared to previous years.
In response to U.S. actions, Venezuela’s National Assembly initiated a measure to criminalize acts associated with the seizure of oil tankers, aiming to deter international interference against the country’s commercial interests.
Amid escalating tensions, Russian diplomats have begun evacuating their families from Caracas, as reported by a European intelligence official. The evacuations, which commenced on Friday, highlight the mounting concerns within diplomatic circles regarding the situation in Venezuela.
In a statement, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil disclosed a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, underscoring Russia’s support against U.S. actions targeting sanctioned oil tankers. The U.S. Defense Department, under Trump’s directives, continues its operations against vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean suspected of drug trafficking, a campaign that has faced criticism for alleged extrajudicial killings.
