Trump declares Maduro government terrorist outfit; orders blockade of oil-tankers
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has intensified his administration's actions against Venezuela. He said he was declaring President Nicolas Maduro's regime a "foreign terrorist organization." The announcement comes with a "total and complete blockade" on all sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was ordering the blockade due to the "theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking."
Tanker seizure
Venezuela condemns action
It wasn't immediately clear what stolen oil and land Trump was talking about. However, under Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan government expropriated assets from some American oil corporations following the nationalization of oil fields in 2007. The Venezuelan government responded to Trump's post, calling his declaration "reckless." "The President...intends to impose in an absolutely irrational manner, a supposed naval military blockade on Venezuela with the objective of stealing the wealth that belongs to our homeland."
Military buildup
US military presence grows in Caribbean
The US has also been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean, with the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier. This move has raised questions about a possible military conflict with Venezuela. The Pentagon's actions include conducting strikes against alleged drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean, which have resulted in dozens of deaths and drawn scrutiny from Congress. Congressman Joaquin Castro, a Democrat representing Texas, said Trump's "naval blockade is unquestionably an act of war."
Sanctions imposed
US accuses Venezuela of drug smuggling, imposes sanctions
The US has long accused Venezuela of being a hub for drug smuggling. Since September, the US military has carried out strikes on boats it claims were transporting fentanyl and other illicit narcotics toward the United States, resulting in at least 90 deaths. The White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said Trump's approach is to "keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle."