Former US President Donald Trump has issued a severe new warning to Venezuela, intensifying a campaign to intercept the nation's oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea. The threat follows the seizure of at least two vessels by American authorities as part of a crackdown on what the US calls a 'shadow fleet' evading sanctions.
Trump's Stern Warning to Maduro
Speaking from West Palm Beach, Florida, where he was flanked by top national security aides including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump directed his comments at Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The 79-year-old former president stated, "If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play tough." This remark came after Maduro publicly hit back at Trump last week, a move that appears to have escalated the feud.
US Operations Against the 'Dark Fleet'
The Trump administration has recently seized two oil tankers off the Venezuelan coast. The first, a Panama-flagged vessel named Skipper, was intercepted with US Navy support on Wednesday, 10 December. The second, another Panama-flagged tanker called Centuries, was seized on Saturday, 21 December. US officials describe both as part of a Venezuelan 'shadow' or 'dark fleet' operating illicitly to transport sanctioned oil.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose department oversees the Coast Guard, stated the seizures send a global message that "the illegal activity that Maduro is participating in cannot stand." She emphasised the US would defend its people and that Maduro "needs to be gone."
Ongoing Pursuit and Justification
The US Coast Guard continues to pursue another tanker it says is flying under a false flag and is subject to a US judicial seizure order. A bullish Trump commented on the operation, saying, "It’s moving along and we’ll end up getting it."
The former president has repeatedly claimed Maduro's time in power is limited and last week renewed his stance, demanding the return of assets Venezuela seized from US oil companies years ago. He cites this as further justification for blocking sanctioned tankers travelling to or from the country, having previously threatened a full maritime "blockade."
This pressure marks a significant hardening from Trump's initial focus on stopping the flow of illegal drugs from Venezuela, transforming into a broader, more aggressive campaign targeting the nation's vital oil exports.
