US President Donald Trump has announced a blockade of “sanctioned oil vessels” heading to and leaving Venezuela, intensifying pressure on the Caracas government. The move is part of a broader campaign by the United States to exert influence over the Venezuelan government and gain access to the country’s oil resources.

The US has been building up its military presence in the Caribbean, with a stated goal of combating Latin American drug trafficking. However, the operation is widely seen as an attempt to push out Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the US and many other countries consider illegitimate. Venezuela views the US operation as an effort to “steal” its oil and has been selling crude on the black market, mainly to China, to sidestep US sanctions.

The blockade is likely to have significant economic implications for Venezuela, which relies heavily on oil exports. According to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Venezuela has an estimated 303 billion barrels of oil reserves, the largest of any nation. The country’s economy is already under strain, and the loss of oil exports could lead to an economic crisis, including shortages of food and medicine.

The US has also designated the Venezuelan government as a “foreign terrorist organization” and has imposed sanctions on several vessels and companies associated with the Venezuelan oil industry. The Pentagon has defended its operation, dubbed “Southern Spear,” as a necessary measure to target drug cartels and terrorist organizations. However, many experts have raised concerns about the legality and effectiveness of the operation, which has resulted in the killing of at least 95 people in international waters.

The situation in Venezuela remains complex and volatile, with the US blockade likely to exacerbate tensions between the two countries. The international community is watching the situation closely, with many countries calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what the next steps will be for the US and Venezuelan governments.