Overview
- President Trump ordered a “complete” blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan tankers, confirmed two recent seizures and a pursuit of a third, and warned Nicolás Maduro it would be “smart” to step down.
- UN human rights experts said the maritime campaign violates fundamental international law and could constitute illegal armed aggression, noting at least 104 deaths in 28 boat attacks since September.
- At a Security Council session requested by Caracas, Mexico cautioned that the U.S. military buildup near Venezuela threatens regional stability and urged de‑escalation and diplomacy.
- Washington signaled harsher measures as UN envoy Mike Waltz vowed to apply sanctions “to the maximum” to cut off funding tied to the Cartel de los Soles and related networks.
- Caracas staged pro‑government rallies as Maduro claimed overwhelming Security Council backing, while opposition leader María Corina Machado warned of threats to political prisoners and Trinidad and Tobago tightened security around U.S. military assets on its territory.