Since Donald Trump became president of the United States, the bitter relationship with Venezuela has reached a high point.

Trump has a policy of exerting excessive pressure to change the regime in Venezuela. Which President Nicolas Maduro considers an intervention. The US has deployed the world's largest aircraft carrier in the Caribbean. Similarly, Venezuela has also increased its military exercises. According to experts, the tension between the two countries is not only an ideological conflict, but also a complication caused by geopolitical issues, drugs and the oil trade. In the last two weeks, the US has seized two oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela. In this process, it has seized about 4 million barrels of oil. A large number of US troops are deployed in the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, which are connected to Venezuela. The US has seized a third oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela. A senior US Coast Guard official who is pursuing the ship has told Al Jazeera that Venezuela has called the move “piracy.” But US President Donald Trump has said the seized ships and oil will not be returned. “We could sell it. Or we could keep it or we could use it as a strategic reserve,” Trump said at a press conference at his resort in Florida on Monday. “But we will keep it with us. We will keep the ship.” Trump has suggested that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro resign. “He would be wise to resign. It’s up to him to decide what to do,” Trump said in Florida. Maduro has suggested that Trump focus on solving his own country’s social and political issues instead of interfering in foreign countries.

‘It would be better if he focused on the economic and social issues of his own country. The world would have called him good if he could pay attention to his own country’s affairs,’ Maduro said on state television on Tuesday.

The US and its allies have imposed an economic blockade on Venezuela. US troops are firing on suspicious boats passing through Venezuela on suspicion of drug trafficking. Human Rights Watch has expressed concern that civilians are also at risk. Trump had recently announced the closure of Venezuelan airspace. His warning has also been followed by international airlines suspending flights here.

Venezuela has requested a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss these issues. Russia and China have supported Venezuela’s proposal. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that US intervention could seriously affect regional stability and international shipping. China has also called the US move a violation of international law and the UN Charter. Venezuela has expressed its commitment to regional peace. However, Foreign Minister Ivan Gil has said that it is ready to take any steps to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and natural resources.

26-year-old tension

Venezuela and the US had very good relations during the Cold War. Venezuela's economy used to run on oil sales to the US. Most of the petrol mines here were also owned by private American companies. However, relations with the US began to deteriorate in 1999 when communist leader Hugo Chavez came to power. Chavez began to nationalize the petrol industry. Chavez was another critic of the US for its imperialist and interventionist policies in South America. His policies angered the US. After the US imposed sanctions, Venezuela became closer to Cuba, Iran, and Russia. In 2013, Nicolas Maduro succeeded Chavez as president. In 2017, Trump was first sworn in as president. He immediately imposed sanctions on Venezuela. Venezuela's economy collapsed and a national crisis began. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Juan Guaido, the then president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, declared himself president in January 2019.

His claim was supported by the US, the European Union, and many other Western countries. However, the Venezuelan military backed Maduro. After this, Maduro became even more powerful. Therefore, after Joe Biden became president in 2021, the US changed its 'hard line' policy towards Venezuela and promoted dialogue. Similarly, it facilitated the transportation of humanitarian aid.

Despite some contradictions, relations were going well. However, since Trump was elected president for a second term, relations between the two countries have deteriorated again.

On January 10 of this year, Maduro (for the third consecutive time) and Trump (for the second time) were sworn in as presidents of their respective countries. Shortly after returning to the White House, he revoked the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) facility that Venezuelan citizens were using in the US, under which nearly 600,000 Venezuelans were living in the US. Similarly, the concessions given during Biden's term for oil from Venezuela were revoked. Shortly after that, he announced a 25 percent tariff increase on countries that buy oil from Venezuela. The main issues of the dispute

Drugs:

Drugs, oil and Trump's foreign policy are the main reasons for the recent increase in tension between the two countries.

Trump has accused Venezuela of protecting drug suppliers to the United States. US data shows that large quantities of cocaine are being smuggled from the South American country to Europe and the United States via Venezuela.

The US declared the 'Cartel de Los Soles' a terrorist organization in August. Similarly, it has declared Maduro as its leader and announced a reward of 50 million US dollars for information leading to his arrest. However, Maduro has denied the accusations.

The US has been conducting an anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean since September 2. Meanwhile, Venezuela is attacking boats passing through on suspicion of drug trafficking. Venezuela has strongly objected to this move, saying it violates human rights.

Monroe Doctrine : Trump's foreign policy is another reason for the tension with Venezuela. He is following the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, which considers the Western Hemisphere to be the US sphere of influence. Trump has been saying that China should not be given access to resources such as military bases and important minerals in this region. However, the Maduro government has signed energy and mineral agreements with China. Similarly, it has also increased cooperation with Iran and Russia. Trump understands that Venezuela is important for US national security.

His desire is to form a government close to the US in Venezuela. In the past, Trump supported Guaido's claim (presidential declaration), but he could not overthrow Maduro. Now, Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado has said that she fully supports Trump's policy.

Oil

: Venezuela is the world's largest oil reserve. But despite its abundant resources, oil production is very low. Due to years of US sanctions, it lacks the necessary investment and equipment for oil extraction. It sells most of its oil to China.

Maduro accuses Washington of having its eyes on his country's oil. The country, which is rich in oil and rare earth elements and geographically very close to the US, is close to China and Russia, which has not been a good thing for the US.

Cuba-Iran

 : Trump's close allies, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are in favor of overthrowing the communist government of Cuba. Venezuela, which is facing US sanctions, sends its oil to Cuba and sells it on the international market from Cuba.

This relationship has played a major role in keeping both the Maduro government and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in power. On the other hand, Trump also has a plan to change the regime in Iran.

The Trump administration alleges that Venezuela also sends oil to Iran and that Iran has been selling the oil cheaply elsewhere. Trump estimates that Iran is operating extremist groups in the Middle East with that money and hindering American interests.   Immigration

 : A large number of Venezuelan citizens live illegally in the United States. The number of Venezuelans living in the United States increased from 95,000 to 640,000 between 2000 and 2021, according to a Pew Research Center analysis.

The number of Venezuelans living in the United States has increased as Venezuela has been facing a political and economic crisis. Trump wants to reduce this immigration. However, there is a lack of communication with the Maduro government.

Trump has an interest in forming a government that suits him and encouraging people in the United States to return to Venezuela.

Timeline of the controversy (2025) January 10: Nicolas Maduro is sworn in for a third consecutive term.

January 21: Donald Trump, who won the election in November, is sworn in for a second term.

February 26: Trump revokes Biden administration's oil concessions to Venezuela.

March 24: Announcement of 25 percent tax increase on countries buying oil from Venezuela. August 8: Venezuelan President accused of being the leader of the Cartel de Los Soles, offering a reward of 50 million for information.

September 2: US launches anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean and Pacific. Venezuela protests over interference in its sovereignty.

October 15: Trump reveals that he has allowed the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. November 12: Venezuela begins nationwide military exercises. Announces readiness to take any action to protect its sovereignty.