On December 25, 2025, the White House ordered the U.S. military to focus almost exclusively on enforcing a two-month "quarantine" of Venezuelan oil as part of an intensified strategy to pressure President Nicolas Maduro, a U.S. official told Reuters this week.
"While military options still exist, the focus is to first use economic pressure by enforcing sanctions to reach the outcome the White House is looking for," the anonymous official said, underscoring the administration's push to leverage oil exports over conventional tactics.
Officials believe that by late January 2026, Venezuela will face an economic calamity unless it agrees to make significant concessions to the U.S., amplifying risks of political and social unrest in a nation already grappling with crisis.
This week, the oil tanker Bella I, the third such vessel pursued by U.S. forces, was turned away from its route to Venezuela and retreated into the Atlantic Ocean, signaling the operational resolve behind the quarantine.
Last week, President Donald Trump declared a "full and total blockade" of sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela and designated Maduro's government as a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.
Venezuelan authorities condemned the interceptions as "piracy," accusing Washington of seeking regime change and military expansion in Latin America.
Asked if the ultimate goal was to force Maduro from power, Trump told reporters that it would be "smart" for the leader to step down and warned that continued resistance could have irreversible consequences.
The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting this week, with the overwhelming majority of members calling for respect for the UN Charter and restraint to avoid further escalation.
As the quarantine continues into early 2026, policymakers and markets worldwide will be watching how economic pressure shapes the future of Venezuela and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Reference(s):
White House orders military to focus on Venezuelan oil 'quarantine'
cgtn.com
