Former US president Donald Trump said Washington would keep or sell crude oil seized from tankers intercepted off the coast of Venezuela, along with the vessels themselves, as pressure mounts on Caracas. His remarks come amid an expanded US naval presence and a tightening blockade targeting Venezuela’s oil trade.
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Speaking at his Florida residence, Trump said the decision followed recent seizures carried out by US forces enforcing sanctions on Venezuelan oil shipments. He also suggested it would be “smart” for President Nicolás Maduro to step down, warning that continued defiance could have severe consequences for the Venezuelan leadership.
The comments triggered a swift response from Caracas, where President Maduro accused Washington of threatening sovereignty and engaging in “international piracy.” In a televised address, he said Trump should focus on domestic US challenges rather than escalating tensions with Venezuela and the wider region.
Russia, a key ally of Venezuela, voiced its full support for Maduro’s government, warning that US actions in the Caribbean could destabilise international shipping. Moscow said it was deeply concerned about the escalation and reaffirmed solidarity with Caracas ahead of a UN Security Council meeting requested by Venezuela.
According to US officials, American forces have seized two oil tankers and are pursuing a third, while also launching strikes on vessels Washington claims were involved in drug trafficking. These operations, which began in recent months, have reportedly resulted in over 100 deaths, some of them fishermen, according to families and regional governments.
The US military said its latest strike targeted a “low-profile vessel” in the eastern Pacific, killing one occupant. Washington argues that oil revenues are being used by Caracas to finance criminal activities, including drug trafficking and human smuggling.
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Venezuela has rejected the accusations, saying the actions amount to unlawful aggression aimed at regime change. Russia and China have backed Caracas’s call for international scrutiny, pledging to coordinate diplomatic efforts at the United Nations as tensions between Washington and Caracas continue to rise.