Washington: US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a 'total and complete blockade' of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, labeling the Maduro government as a 'foreign terrorist organization.'

According to Philippines News Agency, Trump declared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Venezuela is surrounded by the largest naval force ever assembled in the history of South America. He stated that the blockade would continue until Caracas relinquishes 'all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets.'

Trump accused Nicolas Maduro's regime of using oil revenues to fund activities such as 'drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping.' He also noted that Venezuelan nationals who had been sent to the US were being returned 'at a rapid pace.'

This announcement comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela, as Trump insists on Maduro stepping down from power. He maintains that all options, including military force, are being considered amid a significant military buildup in the region.

The US has already conducted 22 known strikes on alleged "narco-terrorist" vessels, resulting in 87 fatalities since attacks began in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean in early September.

In response, Venezuela accused the US of 'maritime piracy' as part of a 'sustained policy of coercion and aggression' after the US seized a Venezuelan oil shipment in international waters.

The US justifies the seizure by stating that the vessels are part of an "illicit oil shipping network" supporting foreign terrorist organizations, transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.

The Trump administration claims its actions target Venezuela to combat regional drug trafficking. However, Caracas argues that Washington is aiming to "appropriate Venezuela's vast oil reserves through the lethal use of military force," suggesting that anti-drug efforts are a pretext for unlawfully removing Maduro from power.