The White House has directed US military forces to focus primarily on enforcing a “quarantine” of Venezuelan oil for at least the next two months, in an effort to increase economic pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government, according to sources cited by Reuters.

A US official stated that while military options remain available, the administration’s current strategy prioritises sanctions enforcement to restrict Venezuela’s oil exports.

The official said that Washington expects the economic strain to intensify and believes that, unless Maduro agrees to major concessions, Venezuela could face a severe economic crisis by late January.

President Donald Trump has publicly refrained from detailing his end goals regarding Venezuela, but sources indicate he has privately urged Maduro to step down. In recent remarks, Trump reportedly suggested that it would be “smart” for the Venezuelan leader to leave power.

The directive has resulted in US forces concentrating on interdicting Venezuelan oil shipments. This month, the US Coast Guard intercepted two tankers in the Caribbean Sea carrying Venezuelan crude.

Per reports, preparations are underway to seize a third vessel, an empty sanctioned tanker named Bella-1, following an earlier attempt on Sunday.

Officials emphasised that the term “quarantine” was chosen deliberately rather than “blockade,” reflecting a historical precedent from the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Using “blockade” could be seen as an act of war under international law, whereas “quarantine” implies economic pressure without direct military confrontation.

The US military has deployed more than 15,000 personnel across the Caribbean, including an aircraft carrier, 11 additional warships, and over a dozen F-35 aircraft.

Earlier this month, the US told the United Nations it would impose and enforce sanctions “to the maximum extent” to cut off resources to Maduro’s government.

Venezuela has strongly condemned the US measures. The country’s ambassador to the UN reportedly stated that the US government posed the real threat, dismissing Washington’s claims that Venezuela was a danger.

Caracas has labelled the oil “quarantine” as an act that violates its sovereignty, while UN experts have criticised the measures, arguing they could be seen as illegal armed aggression.

References: Reuters, Firstpost