(NewsNation) — The United States government, which has built up military forces near Venezuela, is now focused on squeezing the South American nation’s economy while seeking concessions from President Nicolás Maduro, a White House official tells NewsNation.
Confirmation of the new strategy, first reported by Reuters, comes as the U.S. has seized two rogue oil tankers from Venezuela and is pursuing a third. The Pentagon has also conducted controversial lethal strikes on alleged drug boats while accusing Maduro of assisting narcotics traffickers.
The White House official tells NewsNation the new focus on disrupting Venezuela’s oil trade could bring the country’s economy to its knees by the end of January. If the pressure becomes bad enough, it’s believed Maduro would make concessions to the U.S. on a range of issues.
Trump has not disclosed his ultimate aim in amassing forces in the Caribbean, which include an aircraft carrier and 11 other warships, 15,000 troops and more than a dozen F-35 aircraft. He has threatened to start striking on land and has authorized covert CIA activity directed at Caracas.
