President Donald Trump has directed U.S. military forces to intensify their operations against Venezuela by implementing a blockade on the country's oil exports, which are vital to its economy. This action has been characterized by some peace organizations as a form of 'economic strangulation.' A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, indicated that while military options remain available, the primary strategy is to apply economic pressure through sanctions to achieve the desired outcomes from the Venezuelan government.

This escalation follows the deployment of U.S. warships and thousands of troops to the region, alongside threats of invasion, the seizure of oil tankers off the Venezuelan coast, and covert CIA operations targeting the government of President Nicolás Maduro. Airstrikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific have reportedly resulted in over 100 fatalities, raising concerns about potential violations of international law.

Existing economic sanctions, first imposed during Trump's initial term in 2017, have been linked to significant humanitarian crises in Venezuela, with experts estimating that tens of thousands of lives have been lost as a result. The U.S. official noted that the current measures are expected to lead to severe economic distress in Venezuela by late January unless the government concedes to U.S. demands.

The terminology used by U.S. officials, such as 'quarantine,' has drawn parallels to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, during which a naval blockade was established to prevent Soviet missile deployment. Critics, including the women-led peace group CodePink, have condemned the blockade as illegal, asserting that it weaponizes hunger to force regime change and disproportionately impacts civilians.

Comparisons have also been made to the lead-up to the Iraq War under President George W. Bush, with Trump openly expressing intentions to control Venezuelan oil resources. He stated, 'Maybe we will sell it, maybe we will keep it,' indicating a willingness to utilize these resources for U.S. strategic reserves.

A panel of United Nations experts has classified the U.S. blockade and military actions as 'illegal armed aggression' against Venezuela. Despite attempts by some U.S. lawmakers to pass resolutions limiting military actions against Venezuela, these efforts have not succeeded. The blockade has severely disrupted Venezuela's oil exports, leading to a backlog of tankers in ports and fears among operators of entering international waters. In response, Venezuela is reportedly considering deploying armed troops on tankers bound for China, which, along with Russia, has expressed support for the Maduro government.