Archive · 20 Dec 2025
Trump Leaves War Option Open with Venezuela
President Trump of the United States had an interview with NBC News where he said he is not ruling out the possibility of war with Venezuela.
He also announced a blockade on oil tankers going to and from Venezuela, which is a big deal because Venezuela has a lot of oil.
The U.S. has already seized one oil tanker near Venezuela.
Trump has been putting a lot of pressure on Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, including sending more military to the area and attacking some ships, which has sadly killed people.
Maduro says the U.S. wants to take control of Venezuela's oil.
Trump didn't say if removing Maduro is his goal, but Maduro seems to know what Trump wants.
Venezuela's government doesn't like what Trump is doing and has called it a 'grotesque threat.'
The U.S. is not worried about Russia getting involved, but Russia is worried about the U.S. making big decisions that could affect shipping.
Trump said he is not ruling out war with Venezuela in an interview with NBC News.
The U.S. has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela and announced a blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers.
Trump's pressure campaign includes a increased military presence and more than two dozen military strikes near Venezuela, resulting in at least 90 deaths.
Venezuela's government rejects Trump's actions, calling them a 'grotesque threat' and alleging the U.S. wants to overthrow Maduro and control Venezuela's oil resources.
The U.S. is not concerned about an escalation with Russia over Venezuela, viewing Russia's support for Maduro as rhetorical.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
- What
- Trump's remarks about not ruling out war with Venezuela and ordering a blockade of oil tankers
- When
- Recent events, with the interview published on December 19
- Where
- Venezuela and the surrounding waters in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
- Why
- To increase pressure on Nicolas Maduro's government and target its main source of income, oil
U.S. Government
Venezuela Government
Military Actions
U.S. Government
The U.S. has increased military presence and conducted strikes on suspected drug vessels, seized an oil tanker, and declared a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers.
Venezuela Government
Venezuela rejects these actions, calling them a 'grotesque threat' and alleging the U.S. wants to overthrow Maduro and control Venezuela's oil resources.
Escalation with Russia
U.S. Government
The U.S. is not concerned about an escalation with Russia over Venezuela and views Russia's support for Maduro as rhetorical.
Venezuela Government
Russia has expressed concern over U.S. decisions that threaten international shipping and hopes the U.S. does not make a fatal mistake.
- Country Involved
- Venezuela
- U.S. President
- Donald Trump
- Oil Tanker Seizure
- Yes, off Venezuela's coast
- Blockade Announced
- Yes, on sanctioned oil tankers
- Military Strikes
- More than two dozen in the Pacific and Caribbean
- Casualties from Strikes
- At least 90 people
- Venezuela's Response
- Rejected Trump's 'grotesque threat'
- Venezuela's Allegation
- U.S. aims to overthrow Maduro and control oil resources
- U.S. Military Presence
- Thousands of troops, an aircraft carrier, warships, and fighter jets
- Russia's Stance
- Concerned about U.S. decisions threatening international shipping
