Venezuela has begun escorting oil tankers out of its ports using naval warships after statements by US President Donald Trump warning of a full maritime blockade on Venezuelan oil shipments, according to reports by The New York Times.

The newspaper reported that Venezuelan authorities ordered the use of naval forces after Trump publicly said he had directed a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers travelling to or from Venezuela.

Several commercial vessels were reported to have departed Venezuela’s eastern coast between the night of 16 December and the morning of 17 December under protection from the Venezuelan Navy.

The escorted ships are carrying cargoes including urea, petroleum coke and other oil-industry products, with most of the consignments destined for Asian markets.

A US administration official told the outlet that Washington is aware of Venezuela’s decision to escort the vessels and is currently assessing possible response options as tensions between the two countries increase.

Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA, said vessels linked to its operations continue to sail in what it described as complete safety.

The company stated that ships are operating with the necessary technical support and operational guarantees, adding that Venezuela is exercising its lawful right to freedom of navigation.

The Venezuelan government sharply criticised Trump’s remarks, describing them as irresponsible and warning that they risk serious escalation.

Authorities in Caracas accused the United States of violating international law and said Venezuela would continue to defend its rights to free trade, navigation, sovereignty and national independence.

Trump announced the blockade on 16 December, saying the measures would remain in place until Venezuela returned what he claimed were oil, land and other assets taken from the United States. He also said the government of President Nicolás Maduro had been designated a foreign terrorist organisation.

The blockade announcement followed a series of US actions against shipping linked to Venezuela. Earlier, the United States seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

Additionally, four tankers that had initially been heading towards Venezuela reportedly changed course after the US intercepted the vessel Skipper.

The White House has been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean in recent months. By mid-November, around 15,000 US troops had reportedly been deployed in the region.

The Pentagon has also carried out more than 20 strikes on vessels suspected of involvement in drug trafficking in waters near Venezuela and Colombia, operations that reportedly resulted in dozens of fatalities.

Trump has previously stated that the United States could carry out strikes on targets on land and has repeatedly said that President Maduro should be removed from power.

Analysts quoted by US media have warned that a naval blockade goes beyond traditional sanctions and significantly raises the risk of military confrontation at sea.

Reference: newsukraine