On the 16th, U.S. President Trump stated that the Venezuelan government has been designated as a "foreign terrorist organization."
He posted on social media: "For numerous reasons such as asset theft, terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, the Venezuelan regime has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization."
Trump ordered a "comprehensive and total blockade" on all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
He said Venezuela is currently "surrounded by the largest fleet in South American history," and the fleet's "size will continue to grow."
Recently, under the pretext of "anti-narcotics operations," the United States has deployed several warships in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela to put pressure on the country. At the end of November, Trump threatened that he might soon launch a ground strike against Venezuelan "drug traffickers."
Warning Again About the Security Situation of Venezuelan Airspace
On the 16th, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration reiterated a previous safety advisory issued to major airlines, urging caution when flying over Venezuelan airspace in light of "deteriorating security conditions."
The FAA initially issued this advisory on November 21, and when reiterating it to the media on the 16th, made no modifications to its content.
The notice states that the current threats may pose potential risks to all altitudes of aircraft, including during overflight, takeoff and landing, and on the ground at airports.
Venezuela Criticizes U.S. Blockade as a Violation of International Law
On the 16th, Venezuelan Vice President and Oil Minister Rodríguez said that the U.S. government's blockade of oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela violates international law.
He posted a government communiqué on social media, stating that this move also affects free trade and the freedom of navigation. President Trump’s remarks on social media are extremely interventionist and colonialist. Trump is attempting to impose a naval blockade against Venezuela and steal wealth that rightfully belongs to Venezuela.
The communiqué reiterated Venezuela’s sovereignty over all its natural resources, as well as its rights to free navigation and free trade in the Caribbean and global oceans, and called on the American people and people around the world to condemn this absurd threat by all means. Venezuela’s representative to the United Nations will immediately file a complaint regarding Trump's remarks, and Venezuela will never again become a colony of any empire or external force.