The United States’ pressure to oust Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, which began in 2017 with economic sanctions, escalated to military action under Donald Trump’s government. The offensive, justified by accusations of narcoterrorism, culminated in a naval blockade in 2025 to dismantle the regime.
How did American pressure on the Maduro regime begin?
At the beginning of Donald Trump’s first term (2017-2018), the US imposed economic sanctions to punish the regime for repressing protests and creating a Constituent Assembly, seen as a coup. The measures restricted Venezuela’s access to financial markets and banned business with the state oil company PDVSA, starting an “economic war”, according to Maduro.
What was “Operation Freedom”?
In 2019, after recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president, Washington supported “Operation Freedom”, an attempted military uprising led by him. The objective was to cause a division in the Venezuelan Armed Forces to overthrow Maduro, but the strategy failed. In response, the Venezuelan regime severed all diplomatic relations with the US.
Why did the White House accuse Maduro of narcoterrorism?
In 2020, the US Department of Justice indicted Maduro and senior officials for allegedly being part of the “Cartel of the Suns”, a criminal organization that would use the State structure to traffic drugs. The accusation served as justification for launching the largest naval anti-drug operation in the Caribbean in decades, increasing the American military presence near Venezuela.
How did a hypothetical Trump return to power impact the scenario?
With Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, the sanctions relief policy was revoked. Venezuela’s dispute with Guyana over the territory of Essequibo and alleged electoral fraud in 2024 were used as a pretext for further escalation, bringing control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves back to the center of the US national security agenda.
What was the height of the military escalation?
In December 2025, the US carried out drone strikes against Venezuelan ports and positioned the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford off the country’s coast, imposing a total blockade. The reward for Maduro’s capture was raised to US$50 million. Venezuela reacted by mobilizing militias and closing its land borders, including that with Brazil.
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- US offensive against Maduro intensified under Trump: the chronology of the military escalation
