Overall Highlights

• Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela are escalating, particularly regarding oil sanctions and military threats.
• Maduro claims that any imposed government would not last, asserting the resilience of his regime.
• The U.S. is intensifying its blockade on Venezuelan oil, affecting the already struggling economy.
• Both sides accuse each other of imperialistic motives, with Maduro labeling U.S. actions as colonialist.
• Military preparations are underway in Venezuela as Maduro seeks support from neighboring countries.

Venezuelan Perspective (Venezuelan Sources)

• Maduro asserts that a U.S.-imposed government in Venezuela would not last even 47 hours.
• He accuses the U.S. of attempting to establish a puppet regime in Venezuela.
• Maduro has requested military support from Colombia to counter potential U.S. invasion threats.
• He challenges Trump’s claims regarding oil, stating Venezuela will continue its oil commerce despite sanctions.
• Venezuela’s Navy is beginning to escort ships in response to U.S. threats of a blockade.

United States Perspective (United States Sources)

• The U.S. is implementing a blockade targeting Venezuelan oil tankers to enforce sanctions.
• Trump’s administration emphasizes the economic gains from these sanctions, framing them as necessary for U.S. interests.
• Reports indicate rising oil prices linked to the U.S. sanctions on Venezuela and Russia.
• The U.S. military is increasing its presence in the region amid rising tensions with Venezuela.
• The black market for Venezuelan oil is reportedly collapsing due to intensified U.S. sanctions.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [es-VE] Venezuela-Estados Unidos HOY, EN VIVO: últimas noticias del conflicto entre Maduro y Trump, este miércoles 17 de diciembre - Clarin.com (12/18/2025)
2. [es-VE] Maduro asegura que un gobierno impuesto en Venezuela “no duraría ni 47 horas” - Notimérica (12/18/2025)
3. [es-VE] Sin referencias a Venezuela, Trump hace balance de gobierno y celebra el “renacer” de Estados Unidos - El Nacional (12/18/2025)
4. [es-VE] ¿Trump declaró la guerra a Venezuela? Lo que implica el bloqueo petrolero de EE.UU. que pone a Maduro al límite - El Comercio Perú (12/18/2025)
5. [es-VE] Trump elogia su gestión económica durante 2025 y no menciona a Venezuela durante su discurso - France 24 (12/18/2025)
6. [es-VE] Nicolás Maduro pidió apoyo militar a Colombia frente a la posibilidad de una invasión de Estados Unidos a Venezuela - C5N (12/18/2025)
7. [es-VE] Asamblea apoya medidas contra Nicolás Maduro y para ‘restaurar la democracia’ en Venezuela - El Comercio (12/18/2025)
8. [es-VE] Maduro acusa a EU de buscar un cambio de régimen con un “gobierno títere” en Venezuela - La Jornada (12/18/2025)
9. [es-VE] “Es una pretensión guerrerista y colonialista”: Maduro habló sobre el reclamo de Trump por el petroleo - CNN en Español (12/18/2025)
10. [es-VE] Maduro desafía a Trump; asegura que Venezuela seguirá comerciando petróleo - MVS Noticias (12/18/2025)
11. [en-US] Oil prices rise on reports of new US sanctions on Russia, Venezuela blockade - Reuters (12/18/2025)
12. [en-US] US military says it carried out lethal strike on vessel in Pacific, killing four, as Trump addresses country – as it happened - The Guardian (12/18/2025)
13. [en-US] Trump’s Venezuela blockade targets dozens of vessels under sanctions - The Washington Post (12/18/2025)
14. [en-US] Trump orders ‘blockade’ of sanctioned oil tankers leaving, entering Venezuela - Reuters (12/18/2025)
15. [en-US] Live: Trump promises ‘economic boom’ in 2026, touts immigration record - Al Jazeera (12/18/2025)
16. [en-US] The $8 billion black market for Venezuelan oil is suddenly closing down - MSN (12/18/2025)
17. [en-US] Trinidad and Tobago Opens Airports to U.S. Military Amid Venezuela Tensions - SOFX (12/18/2025)
18. [en-US] Trump Orders Naval Blockade on Venezuela’s Sanctioned Oil Tankers - SOFX (12/18/2025)
19. [en-US] Venezuela’s Navy Begins Escorting Ships as U.S. Threatens Blockade - The New York Times (12/18/2025)
20. [en-US] The $8 Billion Black Market for Venezuelan Oil Is Suddenly Closing Down - The Wall Street Journal (12/18/2025)