President Donald Trump is set to unveil a new “battleship” as part of a “Golden Fleet” while the U.S. Coast Guard escalates interdiction of Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean.
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Announcement
On Monday, while vacationing at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump convened top national-security officials-Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Navy Secretary John Phelan-for a meeting the White House described as a “major announcement.” Trump is expected to reveal plans to build a large warship he calls a “battleship” and to launch a fleet that could include up to 50 support vessels, according to people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to comment publicly.
U.S. Coast Guard Interdiction of Venezuelan Tankers
The Coast Guard has intensified efforts to stop oil tankers that the Trump administration labels as part of a “dark fleet” used by Venezuela to evade U.S. sanctions. On Monday, the Coast Guard chased a sanctioned tanker that is flying a false flag and is subject to a U.S. judicial seizure order. This is the third tanker pursued in the Caribbean. Earlier this week, the Coast Guard seized a Panama-flagged vessel named Centuries that officials say was part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet. The U.S. Navy assisted in seizing another tanker, Skipper, on December 10; that ship was also registered in Panama.
Escalating Pressure on Maduro
Trump has repeatedly warned that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s days in power are numbered. Last week he demanded that Venezuela return assets seized from U.S. oil companies years ago, citing a blockade against sanctioned oil tankers traveling to or from the country. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the targeting of tankers sends a global message that Maduro’s illegal activity cannot stand and that the U.S. will stand up for its people. Noem confirmed that the Coast Guard “apprehended” an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast on Saturday.
Russian Diplomatic Evacuations
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has begun evacuating families of diplomats from Venezuela. A European intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press that the evacuations-women and children included-began on Friday and that Russian officials are assessing the situation in Venezuela in “very grim tones.” The White House and Kremlin declined to comment.
Venezuela’s Counter-Statement
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil said he spoke by phone with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, who expressed Russia’s support for Venezuela against the U.S. blockade. Gil released a statement saying, “We reviewed the aggressions and flagrant violations of international law that have been committed in the Caribbean: attacks against vessels and extrajudicial executions, and the unlawful acts of piracy carried out by the United States government.” More than 10 vehicles with diplomatic license plates were parked outside Russia’s embassy in Caracas on Monday morning, but no people entered or left the embassy, and all vehicles had moved by early afternoon.
Life at a Venezuelan Refinery
In a scene that juxtaposes the political drama with everyday hardship, a tanker-identified by Transparencia Venezuela as part of the shadow fleet-was seen moving between Venezuelan refineries, including one about three hours west of Caracas. The tanker stayed at the refinery in El Palito through Sunday, when families gathered on the nearby beach. Music blasted from loudspeakers as people swam and surfed with the tanker in the background. Manuel Salazar, who has parked cars at the beach for more than three decades, noted a stark change: “Up to nine or 10 tankers would wait out there in the bay. One would leave, another would come in,” he said. “Now, look, one.”
Residents recall tankers sounding their horns at midnight on New Year’s Eve and even launching fireworks. Salazar said that before vacations, families had barbecues; now they only have bread with bologna. Food prices have risen sharply, he added.
Defense Department Strikes and Human-Rights Concerns
Under Trump’s orders, the Defense Department has continued a campaign of attacks on smaller vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that it alleges carry drugs. Since early September, at least 104 people have been killed in 28 known strikes. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and human-rights activists, who argue that the administration has offered scant evidence that its targets are drug smugglers and that the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.
Key Takeaways
- Trump plans to announce a new battleship as part of a potential Golden Fleet while intensifying a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers.
- The U.S. Coast Guard has seized three Venezuelan shadow-fleet tankers, including Centuries and Skipper.
- Russia has begun evacuating families of diplomats from Venezuela amid a grim assessment of the situation.
The escalating U.S. pressure on Venezuela-through maritime interdiction, diplomatic evacuations, and public statements-underscores a broader strategy to confront what the Trump administration views as illegal and illicit activity linked to the Maduro government.
Closing
As Trump’s administration pushes forward with its maritime strategy and diplomatic maneuvers, the international community watches closely. The unfolding events in the Caribbean and beyond reflect a high-stakes confrontation that could reshape regional security dynamics and affect global oil markets.
