December 19, 2025
SUNTV Global Channel | International News
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has refused to rule out the possibility of a military confrontation with Venezuela, while warning that the United States could seize more oil tankers linked to the South American nation as tensions continue to rise.
Speaking in a phone interview with NBC News published on Friday, Trump said Washington was prepared to take tougher action against Caracas if necessary.
“I don’t rule it out, no,” Trump said when asked whether war with Venezuela remained an option.
Trump also reaffirmed that the United States would continue intercepting oil shipments believed to be operating in violation of U.S. sanctions.
“It depends. If they’re foolish enough to be sailing along, they’ll be sailing along back into one of our harbors,” he said, referring to tankers operating near Venezuelan waters.
The remarks come just days after U.S. authorities seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a move that has further escalated tensions between Washington and Caracas.
Earlier this week, Trump ordered what he described as a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, a decision aimed at tightening economic pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government by targeting its main source of income—oil exports.
Venezuela’s government swiftly condemned the move, describing Trump’s comments and actions as a “grotesque threat” and an act of aggression.
According to the NBC interview, Trump has also overseen an increased U.S. military presence in the region. His administration has reportedly carried out more than two dozen military strikes on vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near Venezuela, operations that have allegedly resulted in at least 90 deaths.
Trump has previously suggested that U.S. land strikes on Venezuela could begin soon, a statement that has fueled fears of a wider regional conflict.
Despite the hardline stance, Trump declined to clearly state whether removing President Maduro from power was his ultimate objective.
“He knows exactly what I want,” Trump said. “He knows better than anybody.”
President Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of plotting to overthrow his government and seize control of Venezuela’s vast energy resources. Venezuela, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), holds the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, although production has sharply declined in recent years due to sanctions, mismanagement, and aging infrastructure.
Caracas has consistently argued that U.S. sanctions and military actions violate international law, warning that any direct military intervention would be met with resistance.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on Trump’s latest statements.
Analysts say Trump’s remarks are likely to further strain already fragile relations between the United States and Venezuela, raising concerns among regional governments and international observers about the risk of escalation in the Caribbean and northern South America.
