USA Venezuela: Oil deliveries continue as planned
Despite the blockade of oil tankers off Venezuela announced by US President Donald Trump, Venezuelan oil exports are continuing as planned, according to the state oil company. The tankers associated with PDVSA continued their journeys "in the legitimate exercise of the right to free navigation and free trade", Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) announced. Trump had previously ordered a complete blockade of all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving the South American country.
17.12.2025, 19:30
17.12.2025, 20:59
SDA
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil spoke on the phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi about this. They discussed threats to Venezuela and risks for Latin America and the Caribbean, Gil said on Instagram. China had expressed its solidarity and "resolute support" for Venezuela. Gil said that he had conveyed a message from Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro to China's head of state Xi Jinping. The Venezuelan Foreign Minister did not provide any information about the content of the message.
Mexico calls on UN to act - Guterres speaks with Maduro
In view of the escalation of the situation in the Caribbean, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum called on the United Nations to play a more active role in preventing bloodshed. Sheinbaum criticized that the UN had done nothing so far. Mexico is fundamentally opposed to foreign interference in the affairs of other states.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced shortly afterwards that he had spoken to Venezuela's ruler Maduro on the phone. He reiterated that all UN member states must abide by international laws and exercise restraint and must not allow tensions to escalate in order to maintain regional stability, Guterres said.
The socialist government of Cuba condemned Trump's announcement. "We firmly reject the US government's naval blockade against Venezuela," wrote President Miguel Díaz-Canel on X. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez described the announced blockade as an "escalation of aggression" against Maduro's government.
On Tuesday (local time), Caracas described Trump's announcement as a "grotesque threat" and a serious violation of international law. The country would act in strict accordance with the UN Charter and defend its rights and territory peacefully "in perfect unity between the population, the military and the police".
