President Trump has intensified US pressure on Venezuela by ordering a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned oil tankers traveling to or from the country, while warning of further action tied to narcotics trafficking and migration concerns. The move follows the seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast and comes alongside a broader US maritime campaign that has targeted alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Venezuelans are reporting rising prices and heightened uncertainty in daily life as the standoff with Washington deepens. Analysts and commentators cited in the coverage disagree on whether the effort is primarily about democracy, drugs, migration, or access to energy resources.

Highlights:

• Force posture: President Trump said the US had deployed “a dozen warships and more than 14,000 troops” to the region, describing Venezuela as “completely surrounded”.
• Market sensitivity: Oil prices rose after the blockade order, underscoring how quickly supply-risk headlines around Venezuelan crude can ripple into global energy costs.
• Caracas response: Venezuela’s government denounced what it called “warmongering threats” and urged oil workers to organize a worldwide protest against “piracy” and resource plunder.
• Life in Caracas: A Caracas taxi driver told El País that airport rides have collapsed and that people are relying more on remittances and working longer hours as uncertainty grows.
• Oil leverage: One analysis argues Venezuela’s strategic importance stems from holding the world’s largest “proven” oil reserves, framing US pressure as tied to global economic power and energy strategy.

Everything is very difficult, there’s a lot of uncertainty, - José Luis Ledezma

Perspectives:

• US President Donald Trump: He ordered a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela and accused the Maduro government of using “stolen” oil to finance crimes, while also tying the pressure campaign to narcotics and migration issues. (The Week)
• Venezuelan government (Caracas): Officials denounced US actions as threats and “piracy,” and called for oil workers to organize worldwide protests against what they described as plundering of resources. (The Week)
• Venezuelan residents: People interviewed described day-to-day strain, fewer work opportunities, anxiety about what comes next, and families abroad preparing to send more money home if conditions worsen. (El País)
• Commentary voices cited in coverage: The Week summarizes contrasting arguments: one line of commentary says pressure is overdue after Maduro refused to cede power following the 2024 election, while another argues Washington’s focus is less about democracy or drugs and more about stopping refugee flows and removing a socialist government. (The Week)
• WSWS analysis: The World Socialist Web Site argues the drive for regime change is rooted in Venezuela’s unique strategic role in the global economy due to its oil reserves. (WSWS)

Sources:

• Donald Trump’s squeeze on Venezuela - theweek.com
• Prices soar and Venezuela’s economy struggles under Trump’s pressure: ‘People are living day to day’ - elpais.com
• Venezuela’s oil and the crisis of US Imperialism - wsws.org