The White House has ordered U.S. military forces to focus almost exclusively on enforcing a "quarantine" of Venezuelan oil for at least two months, a U.S. official told Reuters. The administration is prioritizing economic pressure through sanctions enforcement while keeping military options as a fallback. Officials say the move could lower the near-term likelihood of U.S. ground strikes and expects Venezuela may face severe economic distress by late January unless it makes concessions.
White House Orders U.S. Forces To Quarantine Venezuelan Oil, Prioritizing Sanctions For Two Months
A general view shows the White House on a cloudy day, in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 23, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
The White House has directed U.S. military forces to concentrate almost exclusively on enforcing a "quarantine" of Venezuelan oil for at least the next two months, a U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday. The move signals a shift toward maximizing economic pressure through sanctions enforcement while keeping military options in reserve.
Details Of The Directive
According to the anonymous official, the order instructs forces to prioritize actions that block or deter Venezuelan oil shipments considered in violation of U.S. policy. "While military options still exist, the focus is to first use economic pressure by enforcing sanctions to reach the outcome the White House is looking for," the official said.
"The efforts so far have put tremendous pressure on (Venezuelan President Nicolas) Maduro and the belief is that by late January Venezuela will be facing an economic calamity unless it agrees to make significant concessions to the U.S," the official added.
Officials said this emphasis on sanctions enforcement could reduce the immediate prospect of U.S. ground strikes, an option President Donald Trump has previously suggested might occur. However, the official stressed that military options remain available as a contingency.
Context And Implications
Analysts say a sustained quarantine on Venezuelan oil—if effectively enforced—could deepen the country's economic isolation and increase pressure on the Maduro government to negotiate. The administration's stated timeline suggests it expects significant economic impact by late January unless Caracas changes course.
Reporting: Steve Holland; Editing: Michelle Nichols and Edmund Klamann.
