Trump warns Maduro against playing ‘tough’ as US steps up pressure on Venezuela

President Donald Trump on Monday issued a fresh warning to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as the US Coast Guard intensified efforts to intercept oil tankers in the Caribbean, escalating Washington’s pressure campaign against the government in Caracas.

Flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump suggested he remains prepared to further ratchet up the four-month campaign, which began with a stated goal of curbing drug trafficking from Venezuela but has since broadened in scope.

“If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play tough,” Trump said, speaking during a break from his Florida holiday while announcing plans for the Navy to build a new large warship.

Trump’s remarks came as the Coast Guard continued for a second day to pursue a sanctioned oil tanker the administration says is part of a Venezuelan “dark fleet” used to evade US sanctions. According to the White House, the tanker is sailing under a false flag and is subject to a US judicial seizure order.

“It’s moving along and we’ll end up getting it,” Trump said.

The pursuit marks the third such case in recent days. On Saturday, the Coast Guard seized the Panama-flagged tanker Centuries, which US officials said was part of Venezuela’s shadow fleet. Earlier this month, with Navy assistance, the Coast Guard also seized another sanctioned tanker, Skipper, similarly registered in Panama.

Following the first seizure, Trump declared the US would impose a “blockade” on Venezuela, repeatedly asserting that Maduro’s hold on power is weakening. Last week, he renewed demands that Venezuela return assets seized from US oil companies years ago, again citing the justification for targeting sanctioned oil shipments.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Fox News that the tanker interdictions are meant to send a global message. “The illegal activity that Maduro is participating in cannot stand,” she said, adding that the US would “stand up for our people.”

Russia evacuates diplomats’ families

Meanwhile, Russia has begun evacuating the families of its diplomats from Venezuela, according to a European intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The evacuations, involving women and children, reportedly began on Friday amid what the official described as a grim assessment of conditions in the country.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was not evacuating its embassy but did not directly address questions about the removal of diplomats’ families. Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil said he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who expressed support for Caracas against what Venezuela calls Trump’s declared blockade.

Gil accused the US of “aggressions and flagrant violations of international law,” including attacks on vessels and acts he described as piracy.

Everyday life near Venezuela’s oil industry

While US forces targeted tankers in international waters, one vessel identified as part of the shadow fleet was seen moving between Venezuelan refineries, including El Palito, west of Caracas. The tanker remained docked through Sunday as families gathered at a nearby beach during the school holiday break.

Residents said the scene underscored the country’s economic decline. Manuel Salazar, who has parked cars at the beach for more than 30 years, recalled when as many as 10 tankers would wait in the bay during Venezuela’s oil boom.

“Now, look—one,” said Salazar, 68, noting that oil production has fallen to about 1 million barrels per day, roughly half of past levels.

An independent watchdog, Transparencia Venezuela, has identified the El Palito tanker as part of the shadow fleet. Locals also recalled New Year’s celebrations when tankers sounded horns and launched fireworks—traditions that have faded along with economic prosperity.

“Now all you see is bread with bologna,” Salazar said, citing rising food prices and mounting hardship.

Legal response and military scrutiny

On Monday, Venezuela’s ruling party-controlled National Assembly gave initial approval to legislation that would criminalize activities linked to tanker seizures, including supporting or promoting blockades or what the government terms acts of piracy. The proposed law carries penalties of up to 20 years in prison.

Separately, the US Defense Department continues operations targeting smaller vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that it alleges are involved in drug trafficking. Since early September, at least 104 people have been killed in 28 known strikes.

Those operations have drawn scrutiny from US lawmakers and human rights groups, who argue the administration has provided limited evidence that the targets were drug smugglers and warn the strikes may constitute extrajudicial killings.