00:00Venezuela has sharply condemned the US President Donald Trump's decision to impose what Washington
00:15calls a blockade on sanctioned oil shipments, accusing the United States of interventionist
00:22and colonialist ambitions aimed at seizing the country's natural resources.
00:27Barakas says the move proves the US's escalating pressure on President Nicolas Maduro under
00:33the guise of sanctions enforcement.
00:37I think President Trump could do better in his country and in the world.
00:41He would do better within his country on economic and social issues.
00:46He would do better with the world if he focused on his country's issues.
00:50Each president should mind his own business.
00:55As tensions rise, the United States is reinforcing its military footprint across the Caribbean,
01:01signaling that economic pressure could be backed by force.
01:05Over the past several days, US military aircraft and naval vessels have been operating from strategic
01:10locations in Puerto Rico.
01:14At Roosevelt Road's Naval Station, US military aircraft were seen taking off and landing, part
01:20of what officials describe as an intensifying security presence near Venezuela.
01:25The operations come amid a broader campaign targeting suspected drug trafficking routes in the Caribbean
01:31Sea and Pacific Ocean.
01:34President Trump's pressure campaign against Maduro has included dozens of strikes on vessels
01:39the US claims are involved in narcotics trafficking, along with the deployment of thousands of troops, warships,
01:46fighter jets, and an aircraft carrier to the region.
01:49US forces have also seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela's coast, underscoring Washington's
01:55willingness to act at sea.
01:59On Puerto Rico's southern coast, the US Navy replenishment oiler, the USNS Kanawa, was docked
02:05at the Port of the Americas, with Navy personnel visible on board.
02:10Civil ships like these play a critical role in sustaining extended naval and air operations
02:15across the Caribbean.
02:18At Mercedeta Airport in Ponce, US military activity continued, with mechanics working on
02:24V-22 Osprey aircraft, while CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters prepared for and conducted takeoffs.
02:31The presence of heavy lift aircraft highlights the scale and readiness of US forces operating close
02:37to Venezuela.
02:41President Trump has repeatedly warned that pressure on Caracas could intensify further, including
02:46the possibility of strikes on land inside Venezuela.
02:50His administration argues that oil revenues help sustain what it calls an authoritarian regime
02:55in Caracas.
02:56Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday, Trump warned Venezuelan President
03:01Nicolas Maduro that if he plays tough, it'll be the last time, while boasting that the United
03:08States has what he called a massive armada positioned in the region.
03:12If he could do whatever he wants, I mean we have a massive armada formed, the biggest we've
03:19ever had, and by far the biggest we've ever had in South America.
03:25He could do whatever he wants, it's alright.
03:27Whatever he wants to do, if he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it'll be the last time he's
03:32ever able to play tough.
03:34U.S. military movements continued over the weekend, with a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster
03:40III seen taking off from Mercedeta Airport.
03:43At the same time, the guided missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner departed Puerto Rico's Port
03:49of the Americas, adding to the naval presence in regional waters.
03:55Maduro's government has denied any links to drug trafficking or criminal networks, insisting
04:00the United States is using security concerns as a pretext to destabilize his administration.
04:06Caracas says Washington's real objective is control over Venezuela's vast oil reserves,
04:12the largest proven reserves in the world.
04:16With U.S. military assets now operating across the Caribbean and Washington openly discussing
04:21further action, the risk of miscalculation is growing.
04:26For now, the build-up sends a clear signal.
04:29The standoff between the United States and Venezuela is entering a more dangerous phase, with consequences
04:35that could reach far beyond the region.
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