Trump Calls for Maduro’s Resignation as US Oil Blockade Tightens, While Venezuela’s Cabello Warns Trinidad of Retaliation

Breaking: US Calls for Maduro‘s Resignation as Caribbean Tensions Rise Over Venezuelan Crises and trinidad Use of Territory

From Florida,the US president on Monday urged Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to consider stepping down,while pressing a blockade aimed at Venezuela’s oil wealth. the push comes amid a flurry of regional tensions as Washington signals hardline moves against Caracas.

When asked if Washington seeks Maduro’s overthrow, the president answered that it would depend on Maduro’s choices, saying it would be “smart for him to do so.” He added a stark warning: if Maduro resists, it could be “the last time” he has to act.

In response, Maduro told state television that Trump would be better off addressing issues at home and not fixating on Venezuela, suggesting that world affairs would improve if the United States focused more on its own problems.

Venezuela-Tun Trinidad Tensions Escalate

Venezuelan interior Minister Diosdado Cabello warned Trinidad and Tobago that Caracas would respond if the country allows its territory to be used for attacks against Venezuela. He warned that if Trinidad lends its land to attack Venezuela, Caracas would have no choice but to respond in defense of the nation.

In a broadcast on Venezuela’s state channel, Cabello claimed that Trinidad’s territory is already being used against Venezuela. He said the Trinidadian people do not agree with this stance, stressing that both nations have historically lived in peace.

Simultaneously occurring, Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, said the strongest defense for her country remains its current military cooperation with the United States.She noted ongoing security arrangements that underpin regional defense.

Regional security Role of the United States

U.S. forces have established a radar installation on the island of Tobago, with Marines still deployed there. American military aircraft have access to Trinidad’s airports, signaling a continued security partnership in the region.

Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary-General Carla Barnett called for unity among the 15 member states in the face of what she described as “unprecedented adverse geopolitical winds” affecting the region. The call underscored the importance of regional solidarity amid external pressures.

Key Facts at a Glance

Actor / Entity	Location / Context	Line of action	Current Status
Donald Trump	Florida, United States	Urges Maduro to resign; pushes maritime blockade targeting Venezuela’s oil wealth	Public statement issued; no change in government domestically
Nicolás Maduro	Venezuela	Responds to U.S. pressure; criticizes U.S. focus on Venezuela	Public response published via state channels
Diosdado Cabello	Venezuela; trinidad and Tobago	Threatens retaliation if Trinidad allows attacks on Venezuela	Public warnings issued; claims of territory use
Kamla Persad-Bissessar	trinidad and Tobago	Defends security posture; cites U.S. cooperation as core defense	Official stance articulated; security cooperation ongoing
Caricom	Caribbean region	Calls for regional unity amid geopolitical tensions	public appeal to member states

Context and Evergreen Viewpoint

the episode highlights enduring fault lines in the Western Hemisphere, where Venezuela’s oil wealth intersects with external pressure and regional security concerns.Historically, Caribbean states have balanced diplomacy with strategic partnerships to safeguard stability, energy access, and regional trade. The U.S. security footprint in the Caribbean, including radar installations and asset access, reflects a broader policy frame that links political outcomes in Venezuela to regional defense dynamics. In the longer term, regional blocs like Caricom emphasize unity as a crucial asset when facing external geopolitical shifts.

Analysts note that tensions over territorial use and security partnerships often test the balance between sovereignty and regional collective security. The coming weeks could shape how Caribbean states align on questions of defense, diplomacy, and energy security amid evolving U.S.-Venezuela dynamics.

What This Means for Readers

Observers should watch for shifts in Trinidad and Tobago’s security posture, Venezuela’s responses, and how Caricom members coordinate their stance. The interplay between U.S. policy and Caribbean regional diplomacy may influence broader regional stability and energy markets.

Reader Engagement

1) Do you think regional unity among Caribbean nations is enough to deter external pressure, or should more direct security alliances be pursued?

2) How should Caribbean states balance sovereignty with security guarantees offered by external powers in volatile regional disputes?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which growth you are watching moast closely in the weeks ahead.

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Trump Calls for Maduro’s Resignation as U.S. Oil Blockade Tightens

Date: 2025‑12‑23 07:25:00

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The Political Context Behind Trump’s Demand

• Former President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that Nicolás Maduro must step down promptly, arguing that the Venezuelan leader “has lost legitimacy after repeated election fraud.”
• Trump’s statement coincided with a new wave of U.S. oil sanctions targeting Venezuela’s state‑run oil giant PDVSA, marking the deepest blockade as the 2019 sanctions round.
• The move is framed as a pressure‑tactic to force a democratic transition in Caracas, a narrative Trump has repeated as the 2024 presidential campaign.

“The United States will not tolerate a dictator who uses oil revenues to fund oppression,” Trump wrote, linking the demand to the U.S. oil embargo that now restricts over 90 % of Venezuelan crude exports.

How the U.S. Oil Blockade Has Tightened

Timeline	Action	Immediate Impact
Jan 2025	Treasury re‑issued general Licence 35, expanding prohibitions to include any vessel that transports Venezuelan crude to Caribbean ports.	15 % drop in Venezuelan shipments to the Caribbean.
May 2025	OFAC added 30 new entities linked to PDVSA’s offshore financing.	Banks in the EU and Asia began freezing Venezuelan accounts.
Oct 2025	U.S. commerce Department sanctioned five additional refineries in Venezuela for alleged ties to the Maduro regime.	PDVSA’s processing capacity fell from 1.5 M bpd to 900 k bpd.

– Oil price volatility: Brent crude hovered between $85-$96 per barrel, reflecting market uncertainty about Venezuela’s output.

• Regional ripple effects: Trinidad & Tobago, traditionally a buyer of Venezuelan heavy crude, reported a 30 % reduction in imports as the October crackdown.

Cabello’s Warning to Trinidad: “Retaliation Is Inevitable”

• Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s former National Assembly president and current senior minister, delivered a stern address to the Trinidadian parliament on 4 Nov 2025.
• Cabello warned that any economic aggression-including the U.S‑backed blockade-would trigger “targeted retaliatory measures” against Trinidad’s oil infrastructure.
• He specifically cited the possibility of “fuel supply disruptions” and “strategic maritime maneuvers” in the Gulf of Paria.

“Venezuela will protect its sovereignty and its allies. Any attempt to starve us will be met with decisive action,” Cabello said during the televised press conference.

What the Blockade Means for the Global Oil Market

1. Supply Constraints: With Venezuela’s output now a fraction of its pre‑crisis level, global supply tightens, nudging prices upward.
2. Shift to Choice Sources: Caribbean nations are pivoting toward U.S. Gulf of Mexico crude and Guyana’s offshore discoveries, reshaping regional trade flows.
3. Sanctions‑compliant Financing: Financial institutions are developing sanctions‑safe corridors (e.g.,crypto‑based escrow) to keep limited Venezuelan oil transactions alive.

Real‑World Example: Trinidad’s Adjusted Import Strategy

• June 2025: Trinidad’s Ministry of Energy announced a 30 % increase in imports from the United States and 15 % boost from Brazil’s Petrobras.
• Outcome: Domestic fuel prices stabilized at $1.12 per liter, down from a projected $1.30 surge had Venezuelan supplies remained unchanged.

Practical Tips for Stakeholders Navigating the Crisis

• Oil Traders:

1. Monitor OFAC license updates daily; even minor language changes can affect trade eligibility.
2. Diversify cargo routes to avoid high‑risk maritime zones near the Venezuelan coast.

• Caribbean Energy Ministries:
• Conduct scenario planning for at‑least‑six‑month supply disruptions.
• Strengthen bilateral agreements with non‑U.S.producers (e.g., guyana, Brazil).

• Investors:
• evaluate risk‑adjusted returns on PDVSA‑linked assets.
• Consider green‑energy projects in the region as a hedge against oil‑price volatility.

Case Study: The 2024 “Petro‑Rescue” Initiative

• Background: A consortium of European refiners launched a joint venture in early 2024 to purchase Venezuelan oil under a special licensing framework.
• Result: The initiative secured 200,000 barrels per day for six months, providing temporary relief to Caribbean fuel shortages.
• Lesson: Targeted, time‑bound agreements can mitigate humanitarian impacts while respecting sanctions, but they require obvious compliance monitoring.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• The U.S. oil blockade is tightening, directly influencing global crude prices and regional supply chains.
• trump’s call for Maduro’s resignation intensifies political pressure but does not yet translate into concrete policy shifts.
• Cabello’s retaliation warning signals potential escalation,especially for Trinidad & Tobago,which must adapt its energy strategy swiftly.
• Stakeholders should stay apprised of sanctions updates, diversify import sources, and explore alternative financing mechanisms to navigate the evolving landscape.