The 'military option' remains on the table as Washington intensifies its economic and strategic pressure on Caracas, which it calls a fight against 'narcoterrorism' and the corruption of the Chavista regime. Trump firmly stated that he 'does not rule out' a war with Venezuela when asked about a possible military conflict between the two nations, and backed his portfolio of actions, which includes the blockade of sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuelan territory as part of a campaign to economically suffocate the Maduro government. Washington's strategy has escalated in recent weeks. The Trump administration has been criticized for using military and economic tools without proper legal backing, and some lawmakers have expressed concern about a possible conflict without a clear definition of military objectives or an exit strategy in case of direct confrontation. In turn, Venezuela has repeatedly denounced what it considers interference and aggression by Washington, accusing the United States of seeking to control its vast oil reserves and natural resources under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking. The Maduro government has emphasized its national sovereignty and rejected any foreign intervention, even increasing its military readiness in the face of a possible confrontation. The tensions between Washington and Caracas, with the option of an open conflict now explicitly mentioned by a U.S. president, constitute a turning point in international relations in the region. This military decision by Caracas increases the possibility of incidents at sea that could lead to a wider conflict. In his interview with NBC News, Trump avoided confirming whether his ultimate goal is the removal of Maduro from power, although he stated that 'Maduro knows exactly what I want,' suggesting that the pressure on Caracas points to a tacit regime change. Additionally, the U.S. leader reiterated that there will be more tanker seizures if they continue to operate on routes that the United States considers linked to the Chavista regime or international drug trafficking. The escalation with Venezuela comes at a time when the United States is facing internal and external pressures regarding the scope of its foreign policy. Nevertheless, critics inside and outside the U.S. have questioned the legality of certain actions, warning that a naval blockade is traditionally considered an act of war under international law, and that Washington may be entering a dangerous escalation without an explicit mandate from the U.S. Congress. The Maduro regime itself has responded firmly to the U.S. offensive, rejecting Trump's threats and ordering the Venezuelan Navy to escort tankers that defy the blockade, which demonstrates sovereignty and a direct challenge to Washington. Multilateral organizations and Latin American governments are watching this scenario with concern, aware that a direct confrontation between two states with considerable military forces could have far-reaching strategic, economic, and humanitarian consequences. The official goal, Trump noted, is to cut off the main source of funding for the Chavista regime, which lies in its oil exports, and to stop what he describes as the financing of transnational crime and drug trafficking. In recent days, the United States seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela, identified by Washington as sanctioned for transporting crude related to illicit activities, an act that Caracas denounced as 'piracy' and a blatant violation of international law. Buenos Aires, December 19, 2025 - Total News Agency - TNA - The President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, left open the possibility of a military confrontation with the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, during an interview with the U.S. network NBC News, which deepens a diplomatic and military crisis that is already mobilizing forces in the region and generating international alarm. The American leader ordered a 'total and complete' blockade of sanctioned tankers linked to Venezuela and has moved a significant military presence to the south of the Caribbean with warships and thousands of personnel, according to international reports. The detention of that vessel adds to a series of attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific, which, according to various sources, have caused the deaths of dozens of crew members identified by the White House as drug traffickers or linked to criminal groups. Wikipedia+1 The White House has justified these measures as part of its fight against drug trafficking and terrorism networks, while reinforcing economic sanctions against Chavist officials and key sectors of the Venezuelan economy.
