Trump announces naval blockade of Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had ordered a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers travelling to and from Venezuela.

Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform.

“I am ordering a full and comprehensive blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going to and from Venezuela,” he wrote.

Trump also said he had designated the current Venezuelan authorities as a foreign terrorist organisation, accusing them of stealing U.S. assets, terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking.

He added that U.S. military activity around Venezuela would be stepped up until Caracas returns oil, land and other assets that he said were taken from the United States.