Trump Warns Maduro: “This Will Be the Last Time You Play Tough” as U.S. Escalates Pressure on Venezuelan Oil Tankers

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday, stating that if Maduro chooses to “play tough,” it would be the last time he could do so. The announcement came as the U.S. Coast Guard intensified operations in the Caribbean Sea to intercept oil tankers linked to Venezuela’s shadow fleet—a move the administration describes as part of a broader campaign to pressure Caracas.

Trump, surrounded by top national security aides including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and War Secretary Pete Hegseth during his Florida vacation break, emphasized readiness to escalate efforts targeting Maduro’s government. He referenced recent actions, noting that the U.S. Coast Guard had seized two sanctioned tankers this week: a Panama-flagged vessel named Centuries on Saturday and a previously identified ship called Skipper on December 10. Trump also warned that “we’ll end up getting it” for a third tanker currently under judicial seizure orders.

The administration has repeatedly framed its campaign as part of an effort to curb illegal activity in Venezuela, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stating the targeting aims to signal that “the illegal activity that Maduro is participating in cannot stand.” Meanwhile, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil accused U.S. actions of violating international law, claiming they involve “attacks against vessels and extrajudicial executions” while asserting Russia’s support for Venezuela amid Trump’s declared blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.

Residents near Venezuelan refineries report stark economic shifts since the shadow fleet operations began. Manuel Salazar, a beachgoer with decades of experience parking cars at El Palito’s shore, noted that fewer tankers now linger in the bay compared to years past when Venezuela’s energy industry produced double the current output of 1 million barrels per day. “Before, during vacations, they’d have barbecues; now all you see is bread with bologna,” Salazar said, adding food prices and inflation have worsened daily.

Venezuela’s National Assembly recently approved a measure criminalizing activities tied to oil tanker seizures, potentially imposing fines and imprisonment of up to 20 years for those involved in “acts of piracy, blockades, or other international illegal acts.” The War Department continues its campaign targeting vessels suspected of carrying drugs across the Caribbean and Pacific, with at least 104 deaths reported in 28 strikes since September.

U.S. lawmakers and human rights groups have raised concerns over the lack of evidence linking targets to drug smuggling operations and allegations that the strikes constitute extrajudicial killings.