The White House has ordered United States military forces to focus almost entirely on enforcing a “quarantine” of Venezuelan oil for at least the next two months. A U.S. official said the decision shows that Washington is prioritizing economic pressure through sanctions rather than direct military action. While military options still exist, the immediate focus is on restricting oil exports to reach the outcome sought by the White House.
Venezuela’s economy depends heavily on oil sales. By limiting these exports, the United States aims to reduce the flow of money to the government led by President Nicolás Maduro. U.S. officials believe the pressure created by these measures could push Venezuela into a serious economic crisis if no concessions are made. President Donald Trump has publicly suggested that it would be smart for Maduro to leave power, while privately pressuring him to do so.
According to the U.S. official, the actions taken so far have already placed significant strain on Venezuela. The expectation is that by late January, the country could face severe economic hardship unless it agrees to major demands from the United States.
Military Focus on Enforcing Oil Sanctions
Under the new order, U.S. military resources are being directed toward stopping Venezuelan oil shipments. This effort is mainly carried out through maritime enforcement. Earlier this month, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted two oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea that were fully loaded with Venezuelan crude.
A third operation is also underway. The Coast Guard has been preparing to seize an empty sanctioned vessel known as the Bella-1. The first attempt to carry out this seizure was made on Sunday, but officials were waiting for additional forces to complete the operation.
To support these efforts, the Pentagon has assembled a large military presence in the Caribbean. More than 15,000 troops have been deployed, along with an aircraft carrier, 11 other warships, and over a dozen advanced fighter aircraft. While many of these assets can assist in sanctions enforcement, some, such as fighter jets, are not directly suited for maritime interdiction.
The U.S. military operates across the world, and most of its missions are unrelated to oil enforcement. However, for this period, resources are being focused on stopping Venezuelan oil exports. The United States has also told the United Nations that it will impose and enforce sanctions to the maximum extent in order to deprive Maduro of resources.
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Drug Claims, Blockade Language, and Global Response
President Trump has accused Venezuela of sending large amounts of illegal drugs into the United States. His administration has for months attacked boats coming from South America that it claims were carrying drugs. Many countries have condemned these actions, describing them as extrajudicial killings.
Trump has also threatened to bomb drug-related infrastructure on land and has authorized covert intelligence activity aimed at Venezuela. These actions have added to rising tensions between the two countries.
Earlier this month, Trump ordered a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. Officials later began using the term “quarantine”, a word chosen to avoid the legal meaning of war. This language echoes the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when President John F. Kennedy avoided using the word “blockade”. Former defense secretary Robert McNamara later explained that “blockade” is considered a word of war.
Despite the wording change, United Nations experts have condemned the blockade, calling it illegal armed aggression. Venezuela’s UN ambassador, Samuel Moncada, responded by stating that Venezuela is not the threat and accused the U.S. government of being the real danger.