Trump Threatens Maduro Amid Rising U.S. Venezuela Tensions/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro as the U.S. intensifies its crackdown on Venezuelan oil shipments. With Coast Guard and Navy support, sanctioned tankers are being seized in the Caribbean. Russia begins evacuating families of diplomats as tensions escalate between Washington and Caracas.
Trump Venezuela Crackdown Quick Looks
- Trump warns Maduro not to “play tough” or face consequences
- U.S. seizes multiple oil tankers tied to Venezuela’s “shadow fleet”
- Russia evacuates families of diplomats from Caracas
- Venezuela condemns U.S. actions as piracy and international law violations
- Venezuelan lawmakers introduce new penalties for supporting U.S. sanctions
- Venezuelans near refineries observe tankers amid worsening economic conditions
- U.S. continues deadly anti-drug operations across the region under Trump’s directive
- Critics decry lack of transparency, citing possible extrajudicial killings
Deep Look: Trump Warns Maduro as U.S. Escalates Oil Seizures and Pressure Campaign
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (SEO News) — President Donald Trump issued a stark warning Monday to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, stating that any effort to “play tough” would be Maduro’s last. The remarks come as Trump’s administration ramps up efforts to intercept Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing U.S. pressure campaign on Caracas.
Standing flanked by top national security figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump spoke from Florida during his holiday break, making it clear that military and economic actions against Maduro’s government will intensify if provoked.
The president’s comments coincide with U.S. Coast Guard and Navy operations targeting tankers allegedly evading sanctions through a network the administration has branded as a “dark fleet.” On Monday, the Coast Guard pursued another sanctioned vessel flying a false flag, already under a U.S. judicial seizure order.
“We’ll end up getting it,” Trump said, referring to the current tanker chase. The mission follows two recent high-profile seizures — the Panama-flagged Centuries and Skipper, both accused of carrying Venezuelan oil in violation of U.S. sanctions.
A Renewed Blockade and Harsh Rhetoric
Trump, following the first seizure, declared a “blockade” on Venezuelan oil tankers. He also demanded the return of assets once owned by U.S. oil companies but seized by Venezuela, citing that move as justification for the blockade.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose department oversees the Coast Guard, echoed Trump’s stance on Fox & Friends, saying the interdictions send a message to the world: “Illegal activity by Maduro will not stand.”
Russia Responds: Diplomat Families Evacuated
Amid growing U.S. pressure, Russia’s Foreign Ministry began evacuating diplomats’ families from Venezuela, according to European intelligence sources. While the ministry denied evacuating its embassy, it did not comment on the movement of diplomats’ families. Sources indicate the mood in Moscow regarding the situation is “grim.”
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil announced that he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who reaffirmed support for Caracas. Gil sharply criticized U.S. actions as piracy, alleging violations of international law in the Caribbean.
On the Ground in Venezuela: Tankers and Tensions
In Venezuela, one of the so-called shadow fleet tankers was observed docked at the El Palito refinery, west of Caracas. Despite the high-stakes geopolitical drama, Venezuelan families gathered at a nearby beach for recreation, children splashing in the sea with the massive vessel visible offshore.
Local worker Manuel Salazar, who has parked cars at the beach for over three decades, lamented the shift. “Before, you’d see nine or ten tankers out there,” he recalled. “Now, just one.”
Transparencia Venezuela, a government accountability watchdog, identified the tanker as part of the shadow fleet used to circumvent U.S. sanctions.
Salazar described a bleaker national mood and economy compared to the oil boom days: “Before, we had barbecues on holidays. Now it’s bread with bologna.”
Venezuelan Lawmakers Respond with Legal Threats
The National Assembly, dominated by Venezuela’s ruling party, approved the first reading of a law targeting those linked to foreign-led oil tanker seizures. Introduced by lawmaker Giuseppe Alessandrello, the bill proposes up to 20 years in prison for promoting or supporting what the law classifies as acts of piracy or blockades.
Critics argue the bill is designed to suppress internal dissent and increase state control amid foreign pressure.
U.S. Military Campaign Faces Backlash
Trump’s strategy has included military strikes targeting alleged drug smugglers across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Since September, at least 105 people have been killed in 29 strikes ordered under this campaign.
Human rights groups and U.S. lawmakers have raised alarms, saying the administration has provided little evidence to justify these lethal actions. Some label the incidents as extrajudicial killings, calling for accountability and transparency.
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