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By Joshua Scheer
This post was originally intended as a year-in-review from BreakThrough News, covering major developments in Venezuela and Latin America—from the freeing of certain drug lords to U.S. interventions in countries Trump targets. In late November, Trump took to social media, warning airlines, pilots, and others to avoid Venezuelan airspace, declaring it “closed in its entirety.” On December 10, he told reporters that the U.S. had seized a Venezuelan tanker, describing it as the largest ever. The Venezuelan government condemned the action, calling it “blatant theft” and an act of “international piracy.”
About Venezuelan Oil: Today, the president declared, “They took all of our oil and we want it back. They illegally took it.”
Trump on Venezuela: "They took all of our oil and we want it back. They illegally took it." pic.twitter.com/kUDY2OtMtH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 17, 2025
Trump was quoting as saying from Truth Social “America will not allow Criminals, Terrorists, or other Countries to rob, threaten, or harm our Nation and, likewise, will not allow a Hostile Regime to take our Oil, Land, or any other Assets, all of which must be returned to the United States, immediately,”
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro responds, affirming that he will continue trading oil despite what he calls a U.S.-backed attempt at regime change, and criticizing Trump’s claim that Venezuela’s natural resources belong to him and the United States.
According to reporting from Venezuelanalysis.com, grassroots organizations such as Fuerza Patriótica Alexis Vive and the El Panal Commune in Caracas characterized the situation as an “imperialist offensive” and called for organized resistance to defend life, territory, and national sovereignty.
These groups emphasized a collective response rooted in civic, military, and community solidarity as they confront what they describe as unlawful U.S. intervention.
Both in the United States and abroad, experts note that even Venezuelans critical of President Nicolás Maduro generally do not support foreign‑backed regime change. Most people remain focused on their daily lives and skeptical of external intervention, while analysts point to strong civic‑military ties and historical support for Bolivarian movements as key reasons why outside efforts to overthrow Maduro are unlikely to gain broad popular backing.
Original reporting from Truthout highlights this perspective. Anais Márques, a communal leader at the 5 de Marzo Commune in Caracas, explains that “both Chávez and now Maduro have always had the support and backing of an organized, mobilized people,” which “is why they still haven’t defeated us.” Emphasizing faith in Maduro to navigate the crisis, Márques underscores the civic-military union, stating: “We have a people and we have soldiers, and the soldiers have the people.”
The reality is that the conflict Trump appears to be pursuing is widely unpopular, even at home. Congressman Joaquin Castro wrote on X.com, “A naval blockade is unquestionably an act of war. A war that Congress never authorized and the American people do not want.”
Needless to say, you can read more about the president and his interventions in Latin America in our dedicated Latin America section. Which covers ScheerPost’s team’s Latin America coverage exposes the ongoing impact of U.S. intervention in the region, from Trump’s aggressive moves in Venezuela and Honduras to the neocolonial pressures of the new “Monroe Doctrine.” Stories highlight human rights abuses, from migrant torture to military provocations, while documenting resistance from Latin American leaders and citizens against foreign meddling. From drug wars to election interference, the coverage reveals a continent grappling with U.S.-backed policies that fuel inequality, instability, and fear.
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