Trump’s four-month pressure campaign on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro began with the stated purpose of stemming the flow of illegal drugs from the South American nation but has developed into something more amorphous. Trump announces 'blockade' of sanctioned oil tankersTrump and his administration have defended its military's actions but haven't explained the motivations behind its pressure campaign on Maduro. China is biggest buyer of Venezuelan crudeSince the Coast Guard's first tanker seizure, Venezuelan crude exports have fallen sharply. Some companies, particularly U.S. oil giant Chevron, transport Venezuelan oil in their own authorized ships. A White House spokesperson said the "falsely flagged vessel" carried sanctioned oil and was part of Venezuela's shadow fleet.

Source: CBC News December 22, 2025 23:18 UTC