Trump Does Not Rule Out War with Venezuela Amid Escalating Oil Blockade

President Trump Considers Military Option for Venezuela

President Donald Trump has publicly stated that he does not rule out the possibility of war with Venezuela, further intensifying the already strained relations between the two nations. In an interview with NBC News published on Friday, December 19, 2025, Trump responded to a question about potential military conflict by saying, 'I don't rule it out, no.'

When pressed on whether removing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was his ultimate objective, Trump declined to provide a direct answer, instead stating, 'He knows exactly what I want.' This is not the first time Trump has hinted at military intervention; he previously declared in 2017 that he was 'not going to rule out a military option' to address the crisis in Venezuela. The President has also indicated plans for future land strikes against alleged drug traffickers in Venezuela and asserted that he does not require congressional approval for such actions.

Secretary Rubio Vows to Enforce Oil Blockade

Concurrently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed the United States' commitment to enforcing a blockade on Venezuela's oil wealth. Speaking at a year-end press conference at the State Department on Friday, December 19, 2025, Rubio declared the current situation with Venezuela 'intolerable' for the US. He emphasized the US's right to 'utilise every element of national power to defend the national interest of the United States' and stated that the goal is to 'change that dynamic.'

Rubio's remarks underscore President Trump's earlier order on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, for a 'total and complete blockade' of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. This move followed the seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast last week, an action that Caracas condemned as 'international piracy.' The blockade aims to cut off a primary source of revenue for the Maduro government, though experts and lawmakers have raised questions about the legality of such a naval blockade under international law, often considering it an act of war.

Escalating Tensions and Broader Context

The recent statements and actions are part of a broader, escalating pressure campaign by the United States against Venezuela. The Trump administration has significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean region, conducting numerous strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats since September, which have reportedly resulted in over 100 fatalities.

Further escalating the pressure, President Trump designated the Maduro regime as a 'foreign terrorist organization' on December 16, 2025. Trump has also claimed that Venezuela 'stole' US oil and assets, demanding their immediate return, despite Venezuela having nationalized its oil industry decades ago. In response, President Maduro has consistently accused the US of seeking regime change and attempting to seize control of Venezuela's vast oil resources.

Uncertainty Surrounds Future US-Venezuela Relations

The latest developments signal a significant hardening of the US stance towards Venezuela, with President Trump keeping military options open and his top diplomat committed to a stringent oil blockade. The ongoing military operations, coupled with the economic pressure, underscore a period of profound uncertainty for the future of US-Venezuela relations and the stability of the region.