Economic Pressure Takes Priority

A senior U.S. official said that while “military options still exist,” the immediate focus is on economic pressure by interdicting sanctioned oil shipments. The official added that the administration believes Venezuela could face severe economic consequences by late January unless it agrees to make concessions.

The term “quarantine” echoes language used during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, chosen to avoid the legal and military implications of a formal blockade.

Tankers Intercepted in the Caribbean

So far this month, the U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted two oil tankers in the Caribbean carrying Venezuelan crude and has been in pursuit of a third vessel, known as Bella-1. U.S. officials say these tankers represent a key financial lifeline for Maduro’s government.

Earlier, President Donald Trump ordered a “full and total blockade” of sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, later softening the terminology to “quarantine.”

Regional Tensions and International Reaction

Venezuela has accused Washington of acting outside international law, calling the oil interdictions “piracy” and part of a broader regime-change strategy. At an emergency UN Security Council meeting, most members urged restraint and warned against escalation.

The U.S. military has meanwhile expanded its footprint in the Caribbean to more than 15,000 troops, including an aircraft carrier, 11 warships, and over a dozen F-35 fighter jets, underscoring the seriousness of enforcement efforts.