Quick Read
- The US has imposed a sweeping naval blockade on Venezuela, seizing oil tankers and conducting military strikes.
- China and Russia condemned US actions at the UN, calling them bullying and violations of international law.
- President Maduro remains defiant, insisting on support from the UN while facing mounting economic and political pressure.
US Blockade Deepens Crisis for Maduro’s Venezuela
The pressure on Venezuela has reached new heights. In December 2025, US President Donald Trump ordered a sweeping naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. This move, justified by claims that President Nicolás Maduro’s regime is using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking, human rights abuses, and corruption, has triggered a cascade of consequences across Latin America and beyond. The blockade is not merely symbolic; it has resulted in the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and military strikes against vessels accused of smuggling drugs, with over 100 people reportedly killed. These actions, described by Venezuela’s envoy to the UN as “worse than piracy,” have escalated an already volatile situation and drawn sharp international criticism.
Global Response: Accusations of Extortion and Bullying
At an emergency session of the UN Security Council in New York, Venezuela accused the United States of the “greatest extortion” in its history. The US’s aggressive seizure of oil tankers was branded “pillaging, looting and recolonisation” by Venezuelan officials. The US maintains that these measures are necessary to cut off Maduro’s lifeline, arguing that his ability to sell oil sustains his grip on power and finances narco-terrorist activities. However, the international response has been far from unanimous. Russia and China, both staunch diplomatic backers of Maduro, have condemned the US campaign as “bullying and aggression.” Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia warned that the US actions could serve as a dangerous precedent, a “template for future acts of force against Latin American states.” China’s representative, Sun Lei, urged the US to “immediately halt relevant actions and avoid further escalation of tensions.”
China’s Calculated Stance: Opposing Unilateralism, Eyeing Opportunity
China has ample reason to oppose the US blockade of Venezuela. The country is a key Latin American partner for Beijing, with China receiving up to 80% of Venezuela’s oil exports in recent months. The blockade strikes at the economic heart of this relationship. Chinese officials have denounced the US interceptions as a “serious violation of international law,” assuring Caracas of their support against “all forms of unilateralism and bullying.” Yet, beneath the rhetoric, China’s approach is strategic. The crisis presents an opportunity for Beijing to position itself as a defender of the Global South and to challenge US dominance on the world stage. China recently released a new policy paper for Latin America and the Caribbean, proposing expanded cooperation in areas ranging from aerospace to law enforcement. This move signals that Beijing has no intention of retreating from a region where it has invested billions, with Venezuela a major beneficiary.
Monroe Doctrine Revisited: Trump’s Vision and Spheres of Influence
The escalation in Venezuela is part of a broader revival of the Monroe Doctrine—a centuries-old US policy warning foreign powers against interfering in the Western Hemisphere. The Trump administration’s updated strategy prioritizes “denying non-Hemispheric competitors” ownership or control of strategic assets in the Americas. This stance is not limited to Venezuela; the US has also targeted Chinese interests in the Panama Canal and raised alarms about Russian involvement in the region. The implication is clear: the US intends to assert its dominance in its own backyard, pushing back against perceived encroachment by China and Russia.
Chinese analysts are closely watching these developments, debating whether the US is signaling a strategic retrenchment from global affairs to focus on regional dominance. Some suggest this could allow China greater freedom to expand its influence in Asia and beyond, while others see it as a temporary shift that won’t diminish US competition with China. For now, Beijing is using the US’s aggressive actions in Venezuela as a talking point to defend its own record—especially in contested regions like the South China Sea and Taiwan.
Maduro’s Position: Defiance and Diplomatic Maneuvering
President Maduro remains defiant, insisting that Venezuela has overwhelming support at the UN Security Council. At a trade fair in Caracas, he painted the blockade as an act of recolonization and robbery, arguing that the US has no jurisdiction in the Caribbean. Maduro’s ability to sell oil—despite sanctions and seizures—remains crucial to his regime’s survival. However, the blockade and ongoing military strikes have squeezed Venezuela’s economy and tested its alliances.
Trump, meanwhile, has issued increasingly direct warnings to Maduro. He has suggested it would be “smart” for the Venezuelan leader to step down, hinting at further escalation if Maduro “plays tough.” The US claims to have assembled its largest-ever armada in South America and is now preparing to extend its campaign to land operations, targeting not just Venezuela but any country it accuses of facilitating drug trafficking.
As the crisis unfolds, the stakes are not only regional but global. The struggle over Venezuela has become a proxy battleground for competing visions of world order, national sovereignty, and the limits of superpower intervention.
In this turbulent moment, Venezuela stands at the crossroads of international power politics. The US blockade and military pressure have not only deepened the country’s internal crisis but also exposed the fierce contest between global powers vying for influence in Latin America. For Maduro, survival depends on balancing external support with internal resilience—while the world watches to see whether escalating tensions will spark wider conflict or force a recalibration of strategy among the world’s leading nations. Sources: CNN, BBC, ABC News.