Washington D.C. – The United States military is prioritizing a near-complete embargo of Venezuelan oil for at least the next two months, according to a US official. This strategic shift emphasizes economic pressure over direct military intervention in Venezuela.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the White House directive mandates a concentrated effort on implementing and maintaining a strict blockade of Venezuelan oil exports. This move comes as Venezuela possesses significant oil reserves, with accusations from Caracas that Washington seeks to control them.
“While military options remain on the table, the focus is on utilizing economic leverage through sanctions to achieve the desired outcome,” the official explained. This statement potentially tempers earlier suggestions of potential US ground strikes in Venezuela, previously alluded to by President Trump.
The administration believes that the existing economic pressures are already significantly impacting the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. According to the official, Venezuela could face a severe economic crisis by late January unless substantial concessions are made to the United States.
The situation remains fluid, and DZWatch will continue to provide updates as they become available.
