1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
ConflictsVenezuela

Venezuela's Maduro calls US naval siege colonization attempt

02:14

This browser does not support the video element.

Jörg Jelinnek
December 17, 2025

Donald Trump has ordered a naval blockade on oil tankers heading in and out of Venezuelan ports. Trump claims Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro uses oil revenues to fund drug-trafficking into the US.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro danced to a peace anthem at a labor congress, but in a speech at the event, his message was defiant. He said the US sought to "colonize" Venezuela for its oil and minerals.

Days earlier, Washington seized a sanctioned tanker and announced a naval buildup, accusing Maduro of funding drug trafficking with oil revenues.

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW

More stories from DW