Venezuelans express concern after Trump announces oil transport blockade affecting shipments

Описание: (17 Dec 2025)

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4624860

RESTRICTION SUMMARY
ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARCHIVE: Maracaibo, Venezuela - 6 March 2025

1. Oil tanker seen in distance


ASSOCIATED PRESS
Caracas, Venezuela - 17 December 2025
2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Ana del Castillo, real estate employee:
++PARTIALLY COVERED BY SHOT 1++
"No doubt that if the major income of this country is because of the exportation of oil, and they block the export of the oil, I don't even want to imagine what might happen in the months to come."
3. Monument dedicated to Venezuela's oil industry
4. Cars driving down the avenue
5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Ismael Chirino, professor:
++PARTIALLY COVERED BY SHOTS 4, 6 AND 7++
"I think the U.S. have disrespected the entire world. They have 300 military bases around the world and we have been the country that has resisted all the disastrous attacks and we have endured."
6. Man selling newspapers
7. Newspaper showing a headline reading (Spanish) "Trump goes mad, says Venezuela's land and oil belong to the US."
8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Diógenes Martínez, engineer:
++PARTIALLY COVERED BY SHOTS 9, 10 AND 11++
"I think, as a Venezuelan –as I imagine many will too– what comes next? Now with this situation. If we have it tough now, imagine tomorrow without a resource that actually enters the country, because that's the real issue. The oil is Venezuela's real resource. That's how it is."
9. Man counting bills
10. Various of man working at gas station

ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: Cabimas, Venezuela - 6 March 2025
11. Mid of oil pump working






STORYLINE:
Venezuelans on Wednesday expressed concerned about U.S. President Donald Trump ordering a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers” into Venezuela.

Trump's escalation comes after U.S. forces last week seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, an unusual move that followed a buildup of military forces in the region.

"No doubt that if the major income of this country is because of the exportation of oil, and they block the export of the oil, I don't even want to imagine what might happen in the months to come," real estate broker Ana del Castillo told The Associated Press in Caracas.

Many in Venezuela desire political change, though most are too afraid to openly express it on camera out of fear of government retaliation.

But many of those wanting change have also expressed concerns about how that change might come about.

"We hope that, one way or another, a change will come. Not traumatic changes, but changes that are for the good of Venezuelans," said engineer Diógenes Martinez. "If we have it really tough now, imagine tomorrow without a resource that actually enters the country."

In a post on social media Tuesday night announcing the blockade, Trump alleged Venezuela was using oil to fund drug trafficking and other crimes and vowed to continue the military buildup until the country gave the U.S. oil, land, and assets, though it was not clear why he felt the U.S. had a claim.

Venezuela's government released a statement Tuesday accusing Trump of "violating international law, free trade, and the principle of free navigation" with “a reckless and grave threat" against the South American country.

AP Video shot by Juan Arraez

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