Trump says Venezuela ‘illegally’ took US oil as he orders total blockade of sanctioned tankers: Video
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuela unlawfully seized American oil resources, saying Washington wants them returned, as he defended a sweeping blockade targeting the country’s energy exports.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, December 17, after disembarking Air Force One, Trump was asked whether the newly announced blockade was intended to bring about regime change in Caracas. He rejected that characterisation, framing the move as a measure to restrict access to Venezuelan oil.
“It’s a blockade, not to let anybody go in through what shouldn’t be going through,” Trump said. “You remember, they took all of our energy rights. They took all of our oil from not that long ago. And we want it back. But they took it. They illegally took it.”
Earlier, Trump ordered what he described as a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, significantly escalating pressure on the country’s energy sector. The move prompted criticism from China, which accused the United States of “bullying” and warned against unilateral actions that could destabilise global energy markets.
The announcement comes amid heightened international scrutiny of US policy toward Venezuela, which has long been subject to sanctions over governance and human rights concerns.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
