US Intensifies Pressure on Venezuela with Military Buildup, Oil Tanker Blockade, and Seizures
The US has escalated its pressure campaign on Venezuela, increasing military presence, imposing a blockade on oil tankers, and seizing vessels in international waters, leading to a sharp decline in Venezuelan crude exports.
Overview
- The United States has significantly increased its military presence in the southern Caribbean Sea, with President Trump imposing a sweeping blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.
- US forces, including specialized tactical teams, have seized multiple vessels, such as the Panamanian-flagged Centuries, in international waters off Venezuela and Curaçao as part of interception operations.
- These US military operations have included deadly strikes on vessels near Venezuela, reportedly resulting in over 100 casualties, further escalating regional tensions.
- Following the US seizures of oil vessels, Venezuelan crude exports have sharply plummeted, significantly impacting the nation's economy, which heavily relies on oil revenue.
- Venezuelan President Maduro alleges the US aims to overthrow him and control Venezuela's oil, condemning the seizures as 'kidnapping' and 'piracy,' while the US continues its pressure campaign.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the U.S. government's rationale for seizing vessels off Venezuela. They consistently highlight the operations as part of an "ongoing enforcement campaign" against "sanctioned" entities, often presenting U.S. official statements justifying these actions prominently. While including Venezuelan reactions, the narrative prioritizes the U.S. perspective on combating illicit activities and pressuring the Maduro regime.
"The US has seized an oil tanker that had recently departed from Venezuela, according to the US Department of Homeland Security."
BBC News"The operation was led by the U.S. Coast Guard, with the right-of-visit boarding conducted by a specialized tactical team."
CBS News"The move, which was confirmed by two U.S. officials familiar with matter, comes days after Trump announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of the South American country and follows the Dec. 10 seizure by American forces of an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast."
NPR"The operation is in progress."
NBC News"The U.S. Coast Guard is currently interdicting a sanctioned vessel off the coast of Venezuela in international waters of the Caribbean Sea, according to three U.S. officials."
ABC News"The seizure was first reported by Reuters."
USA TODAYArticles (12)
Center (6)
FAQ
The US has deployed around 15,000 personnel in the Caribbean Sea and waters off Venezuela, including sailors and Marines on warships like the USS Ford with fighter jets, helicopters, destroyers, cruisers with Tomahawk missiles, and a Navy submarine.
The buildup is part of the Trump administration's pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, charged with narco-terrorism, and includes anti-drug trafficking operations targeting alleged drug-running boats.
US strikes on alleged drug-running boats have killed more than 100 people since early September, with a reported death tally of 95 as of December 15.
President Maduro has condemned the actions as 'kidnapping' and 'piracy,' alleged US aims to overthrow him and control oil, and declared deployment of 4.5 million militia troops.
History
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