White House Shifts Focus to Economic Pressure on Venezuela

Military Directed to Enforce Oil Blockade

The White House has instructed US military forces to concentrate exclusively on enforcing Venezuela's oil blockade for a minimum of two months, according to a senior US official speaking to Reuters. This directive signals Washington's current preference for utilizing economic measures rather than military intervention to pressure Caracas.

Economic Pressure Strategy

The decision reflects a strategic approach that prioritizes imposing sanctions as the primary means of achieving desired outcomes while maintaining military options as a backup. 'Although military options remain on the table, the focus is first on using economic pressure by imposing sanctions,' the official explained on condition of anonymity.

Presidential Objectives

While President Donald Trump has been publicly circumspect about his specific objectives regarding Venezuela, he has privately urged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to leave the country, according to Reuters' reporting. This private communication suggests a more nuanced approach than publicly acknowledged.