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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's order to block all sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, characterizing the action as a warmongering colonial initiative aimed at regime change.
"Simply put, this is a warmonger and colonial initiative. The true intention has emerged: regime change is being targeted to impose a puppet government that will surrender sovereignty and transform Venezuela into a colony," Maduro said.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace Miraflores in the capital Caracas, Maduro addressed Trump's statements targeting his country and evaluated the oil trade policy.
Maduro reiterated that the vast majority of the American people oppose possible intervention against Venezuela. "We are on our own country's territory, we have our own laws and rights. We are trying to secure this blessed land and our children's future. We said no to war," he added.
Responding to Trump's instruction to block all sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, Maduro emphasized that oil resources belong to Venezuela's people.
"We have repeatedly stated this, the true intention has emerged: regime change is being targeted to impose a puppet government that will surrender sovereignty and transform Venezuela into a colony. The Constitution, sovereignty, and all the wealth of our country are at stake. I express this in one word: This will never happen, Venezuela will never be anyone's colony," Maduro said.
Maduro reacted to Trump's claims regarding oil resources. "The U.S. administration claims that oil allegedly belonging to them was stolen. They assert that Venezuelan oil, all the country's mineral resources, and gold belong to them. Even more unprecedentedly, they claim that Venezuelan territory also belongs to them and must be returned immediately."
"The sole and legitimate owner of all these riches is Venezuela's sovereign people throughout the centuries. They are the absolute owner of all these riches," he stated.
Venezuelan President recalled U.S. interventions in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, saying, "These wars destroyed young people's dreams. Today, against a possible war in South America and the Caribbean, all Latin American and Caribbean peoples oppose this."
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for United Nations intervention to prevent possible "bloodshed" following increased U.S. military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and escalating regional tensions.
After U.S. President Donald Trump announced that all oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela would face blockade, Sheinbaum addressed the developments at her daily press conference.
Sheinbaum emphasized opposition to foreign intervention. "No to foreign intervention, peaceful resolution of conflicts and dialogue for peace. We call on the United Nations to assume its role to prevent bloodshed and ensure that peaceful solutions are always sought in conflicts," Sheinbaum stated.
Sheinbaum criticized U.S. economic sanctions and blockades. "Blockades appear on paper to target governments but in reality harm the people. As in the Cuba example, regardless of opinion about the government, the blockade strikes ordinary citizens," Sheinbaum said.
Reiterating the call for peaceful solutions, Sheinbaum indicated Mexico's readiness to mediate between the United States and Venezuela.
"The parties need to come to us with a proposal. Otherwise, mediators must be found who will help prevent conflict in the region," Sheinbaum stated.
At Joint Base Andrews airfield, Trump stated to the media that Venezuela had "illegally" taken U.S. energy and oil rights.
"They took all our energy rights. Not long ago they illegally took all our petroleum. We want them back," Trump said.
Trump noted that American companies operating in Venezuela's oil sector had been "expelled." "They took our oil rights, everything we own. They can't do this anymore. We want them back," Trump stated.
Trump warned Venezuela: "We will not let them do things they shouldn't be doing."
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