Trump Administration Venezuela Shenanigans

[sear]

US accused of stealing oil after intercepting third Venezuelan tanker​

Published On 22 Dec 2025
The US is pursuing a third oil tanker in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. The operation followed the US Coast Guard’s interception of a second vessel on Saturday. Venezuela called the seizures acts of piracy. Al Jazeera’s Heidi Zhou-Castro explains.

US accused of stealing oil after intercepting third Venezuelan tanker

The US is pursuing a third oil tanker in international waters off the coast of Venezuela.

www.aljazeera.com

"We save 25,000 lives every single time we knock out a boat." President Trump commenting on Coast Guard seizure of second oil tanker near Venezuela / CBS Evening News 25/12/22

 

[sear]

A Republican supporting Trump on Venezuela:
Graham calls for regime change in Venezuela as Trump admin ramps up pressure

by Ian Kayanja / Mon, December 22, 2025 at 2:47 PM
While speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" with Kristen Welker, Graham claimed Donald Trump wouldn't be going back on a campaign promise to keep America out of wars should the government push for the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro. Graham furthered the allegations made by the Trump administration that Maduro is the kingpin of a narco drug trafficking ring, without providing evidence to support the claim.

Graham continues calls for regime change in Venezuela as Trump admin ramps up pressure

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham continued his calls for America to back a complete regime change in Venezuela.

abc3340.com

A Republican opposing Trump on Venezuela:

Rand Paul says seizure of oil tankers in Caribbean a 'prelude to war'​

By Nicholas Kerr / December 21, 2025, 11:15 AM
‘I consider it a provocation and a prelude to war’: Paul on oil tanker seizure ABC News
"I'm not for confiscating these liners. I'm not for blowing up these boats of unarmed people that are suspected of being drug dealers. I'm not for any of this," Paul told ABC News' "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl.

Rand Paul says seizure of oil tankers in Caribbean a 'prelude to war'

Republican Sen. Rand Paul criticized President Donald Trump’s military mission off Venezuela’s coast on Sunday.

abcnews.go.com

 

[Shiftless2]

Trump leaves open option of war with Venezuela​

His comments came after ramping up the US military around the South American country, striking alleged drug smuggling boats and seizing sanctioned oil tankers.​

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/19/trump-war-possible-venezuela/87842264007/

 

[Rigby5]

Blowing up suspected drug traffickers, imposing economic sanctions, and confiscating oil or ships are all illegal crimes according to international and US law.