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Trump Announces Blockade and Threatens Imminent Land Strikes on Venezuela

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Trump Delivered an 18‑Minute Address on Dec 17, 2025 President Donald Trump aired a live, 18‑minute national speech from the White House at 9 p.m. ET on Dec 17, streamed on YouTube, where he praised his administration’s record and criticized the previous government [3]. The address omitted any direct mention of Venezuela, even as it followed a day‑old announcement of a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers and the seizure of a Venezuelan crude tanker [2][3]. The speech was recorded for later viewing after Newsweek closed its live‑blog coverage [3].

Administration Escalates Military Presence and Announces Full Blockade By early December the United States had positioned roughly 15,000 troops and more than a dozen warships throughout the Caribbean and Pacific to support ongoing operations [2]. At least 12 strikes on suspected drug vessels have already been carried out, and the new blockade bars all sanctioned tankers from entering or leaving Venezuelan ports [2]. The blockade and tanker seizure are presented as part of a dual strategy of sanctions and kinetic force aimed at forcing Caracas to surrender oil, land, and other assets [2][4].

White House Frames Boat Campaign as Pressure on Maduro Chief of staff Susie Wiles told Vanity Fair that the boat‑strike effort is intended to “blow boats up until Maduro cries uncle,” explicitly linking the military actions to regime pressure rather than solely drug interdiction [1][2]. Trump’s own September video labeled the targets “narco‑terrorists,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the missions as protecting American lives and securing maritime borders [1]. The administration’s public messaging oscillates between anti‑drug rhetoric and overt references to regime change, as seen in later statements about “Maduro’s days are numbered” [1].

Trump Repeatedly Threatens Imminent Land Strikes Between Sept 15 and early Dec 2025 the president mentioned a possible ground operation against Venezuela at least 17 times, using phrases such as “very soon” and “the land is easier” to stress urgency [2]. Advisers have briefed Trump on multiple options, including airstrikes on military sites and the deployment of U.S. ground troops, though no final decision has been disclosed [2]. The land‑strike threat intensified after the recent oil‑tanker seizure, with Trump hinting that “it’s going to be starting on land pretty soon” [4].

Conflicting Statements Reveal Shifting Rhetoric and Public Opposition Early reports on the first intercepted boat’s destination varied: State Secretary Marco Rubio first said it was likely headed to Trinidad, then later claimed it was bound for the United States, while Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley described it as linking to a larger ship heading to Suriname [1]. Trump initially denied any regime‑change goal on Sept 5 and again on Sept 18, but later admitted Maduro’s “days are numbered,” indicating a rhetorical shift [1]. A Quinnipiac University poll showed 63 % of Americans opposed U.S. military action in Venezuela, underscoring domestic resistance to the escalating campaign [1].

Sources

Primary Data (1)

Quinnipac: Voters Give Democrats In Congress A Record Low Job Approval But Still Might Vote For Them In 2026, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Majority Think Trump’S Use Of Presidential Power Goes Too Far

Published (49 tables/charts)

  • 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 40% 85% 2% 35% 46% 34%
    Disapprove 54 9 95 58 48 59
    DK/NA 6 5 3 8 6 7
    Source

  • 1a. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president? COMBINED WITH: (If approve/disapprove q1) Do you strongly or somewhat approve/disapprove?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve strongly 31% 72% - 23% 36% 26%
    Approve smwht 8 13 2 11 10 7
    Disapprove smwht 5 4 3 6 6 4
    Disapprove strongly 49 5 92 52 41 55
    DK/NA 7 6 3 8 7 7
    Source

  • 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 18% 4% 42% 15% 15% 21%
    Disapprove 73 93 48 76 77 69
    DK/NA 9 3 9 9 8 10
    Source

  • 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 35% 77% 4% 26% 40% 31%
    Disapprove 58 18 92 66 53 63
    DK/NA 7 5 4 9 7 7
    Source

  • 4. If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Republican Party 43% 92% 2% 38% 49% 38%
    Democratic Party 47 5 95 46 40 53
    DK/NA 10 2 3 16 12 9
    Source

  • 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is handling his job as Secretary of Health and Human Services?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 39% 75% 6% 36% 44% 34%
    Disapprove 53 17 90 54 48 58
    DK/NA 8 8 4 10 8 8
    Source

  • 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Kash Patel is handling his job as Director of the FBI?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 35% 68% 5% 32% 39% 31%
    Disapprove 51 19 82 55 52 50
    DK/NA 14 13 14 13 9 19
    Source

  • 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Pam Bondi is handling her job as United States Attorney General?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 31% 63% 6% 27% 35% 28%
    Disapprove 51 20 82 51 52 49
    DK/NA 18 18 12 22 13 23
    Source

  • 8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Pete Hegseth is handling his job as Secretary of Defense?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 38% 76% 4% 34% 44% 32%
    Disapprove 49 10 85 52 44 53
    DK/NA 14 14 10 14 11 16
    Source

  • 9. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very satisfied 13% 30% 1% 7% 16% 9%
    Smwht satisfied 26 49 6 26 29 24
    Smwht dissatisfied 15 9 13 19 18 12
    Very dissatisfied 45 11 79 46 36 53
    DK/NA 2 2 1 1 2 2
    Source

  • 10. In your opinion, what is the most urgent issue facing the country today: the economy, climate change, health care, immigration, abortion, racial inequality, crime, preserving democracy in the United States, international conflicts, or gun violence?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Economy 24% 28% 14% 28% 29% 19%
    Climate change 2 - 4 2 2 2
    Health care 10 7 12 10 8 11
    Immigration 18 32 10 13 17 18
    Abortion 2 5 - 1 2 1
    Racial inequality 3 1 5 4 3 3
    Crime 7 12 3 8 7 8
    Preserving democracy 24 9 40 24 21 26
    Intl conflicts 3 2 3 3 3 2
    Gun violence 3 2 6 2 2 4
    SOMETHING ELSE(VOL) 4 2 1 5 5 3
    DK/NA 2 1 2 1 1 2
    Source

  • 11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - the economy?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 40% 85% 3% 34% 46% 34%
    Disapprove 57 12 96 63 50 63
    DK/NA 3 4 1 3 4 2
    Source

  • 12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - the military?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 46% 92% 6% 41% 53% 39%
    Disapprove 51 6 92 54 44 56
    DK/NA 4 2 2 5 3 5
    Source

  • 13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - the Russia - Ukraine war?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 35% 74% 2% 31% 40% 30%
    Disapprove 55 14 92 60 50 59
    DK/NA 10 12 5 10 9 10
    Source

  • 14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - foreign policy?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 41% 84% 3% 37% 49% 33%
    Disapprove 54 8 95 58 47 60
    DK/NA 6 7 2 5 4 7
    Source

  • 15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - deportations?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 42% 85% 3% 39% 49% 35%
    Disapprove 55 13 96 58 48 62
    DK/NA 3 2 1 4 3 3
    Source

  • 16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - trade?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 40% 80% 3% 38% 47% 34%
    Disapprove 55 15 94 56 48 61
    DK/NA 5 5 3 5 5 5
    Source

  • 17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - immigration issues?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 44% 87% 4% 41% 51% 37%
    Disapprove 54 11 94 57 47 61
    DK/NA 2 2 2 2 3 2
    Source

  • 18. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - health care?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 34% 72% 3% 28% 41% 27%
    Disapprove 59 17 95 63 52 65
    DK/NA 7 11 2 9 7 8
    Source

  • 19. Who do you think is more responsible for the current state of the economy: Joe Biden or Donald Trump?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Biden 34% 60% 11% 32% 33% 34%
    Trump 57 32 84 58 54 59
    DK/NA 10 8 5 10 13 7
    Source

  • 20. When it comes to using the power of the presidency, do you think Donald Trump is going too far, isn't going far enough, or is handling it about right?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Too far 54% 11% 96% 59% 47% 61%
    Not far enough 7 10 1 7 9 5
    About right 37 77 2 33 42 33
    DK/NA 2 1 1 1 2 2
    Source

  • 21. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling - health care; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 51% 11% 91% 55% 46% 57%
    Republican Party 37 82 4 27 42 32
    NO DIFF (VOL) 6 2 1 9 5 6
    DK/NA 6 5 3 9 7 6
    Source

  • 22. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling - the economy; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 41% 5% 88% 37% 35% 47%
    Republican Party 46 93 4 43 50 42
    NO DIFF (VOL) 7 2 3 10 6 7
    DK/NA 6 1 4 9 8 4
    Source

  • 23. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling - immigration; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 42% 5% 88% 38% 34% 48%
    Republican Party 47 92 8 43 53 42
    NO DIFF (VOL) 7 1 2 12 6 8
    DK/NA 5 2 2 6 7 2
    Source

  • 24. Which political party do you think can do a better job of preserving democracy in the United States; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 49% 11% 92% 50% 42% 56%
    Republican Party 40 84 5 34 45 36
    NO DIFF (VOL) 5 1 1 9 4 5
    DK/NA 6 4 2 7 9 3
    Source

  • 25. Which political party do you think is more in touch with the concerns of most people in the United States; the Democratic party or the Republican party?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Democratic Party 44% 6% 89% 44% 38% 50%
    Republican Party 42 86 4 38 46 39
    NO DIFF (VOL) 7 5 4 8 9 5
    DK/NA 7 3 3 10 8 6
    Source

  • 26. How confident are you in Pete Hegseth's leadership of the U.S. military; very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident, or not confident at all?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very confident 25% 56% 2% 20% 31% 20%
    Somewhat confident 20 26 14 21 19 21
    Not so confident 7 1 8 12 7 8
    Not confident at all 40 6 73 42 36 44
    DK/NA 7 11 3 5 7 8
    Source

  • 27. How confident are you in vaccine information cited by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident, or not confident at all?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very confident 17% 36% - 16% 21% 14%
    Somewhat confident 23 42 8 21 23 22
    Not so confident 10 8 10 11 13 8
    Not confident at all 47 9 79 51 39 53
    DK/NA 3 5 3 2 4 2
    Source

  • 28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Trump administration is handling the Jeffrey Epstein files?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 26% 55% 3% 22% 28% 24%
    Disapprove 65 29 94 71 63 67
    DK/NA 9 16 3 7 9 8
    Source

  • 29. The Supreme Court ruled in 1898 that under the U.S. Constitution anyone born in the United States is a U.S. citizen, regardless of their parents' citizenship. Do you think the court should keep that ruling in place, or reverse it?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Keep 70% 43% 96% 75% 66% 74%
    Reverse 24 50 3 20 26 21
    DK/NA 6 7 1 5 8 4
    Source

  • 30. If you had to choose, which would you prefer: giving most undocumented immigrants in the United States a pathway to legal status or deporting most undocumented immigrants in the United States?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Giving pathway 57% 20% 90% 62% 52% 62%
    Deporting 35 71 6 30 40 30
    DK/NA 8 9 4 7 8 8
    Source

  • 31. In its treatment of undocumented immigrants in the United States, do you think the Trump administration is being: too harsh, too lenient, or handling this about right?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Too harsh 55% 11% 95% 61% 48% 62%
    Too lenient 6 13 - 6 9 5
    About right 36 74 5 32 42 31
    DK/NA 2 2 - 1 2 2
    Source

  • 32. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Excellent 3% 8% - 1% 3% 2%
    Good 31 56 11 27 35 27
    Not so good 35 27 47 35 37 33
    Poor 30 7 42 35 24 37
    DK/NA 2 1 - 2 2 1
    Source

  • 33. Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Better 30% 66% 1% 24% 37% 24%
    Worse 48 11 84 50 40 57
    The same 21 23 15 26 23 19
    DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 1
    Source

  • 34. Would you describe your financial situation these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Excellent 15% 21% 13% 13% 15% 15%
    Good 51 59 50 48 56 47
    Not so good 21 11 28 25 20 23
    Poor 11 7 9 13 9 13
    DK/NA 2 1 1 1 1 3
    Source

  • 35. Do you think Donald Trump's policies are helping the nation's economy, hurting the nation's economy, or aren't making much of a difference?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Helping 36% 79% - 30% 42% 30%
    Hurting 50 8 92 51 42 56
    No difference 12 10 8 16 13 12
    DK/NA 3 2 - 3 3 2
    Source

  • 36. Do you think Donald Trump's policies are helping your personal financial situation, hurting your personal financial situation, or aren't making much of a difference?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Helping 25% 54% 3% 20% 31% 21%
    Hurting 36 5 63 40 30 41
    No difference 37 40 33 39 37 36
    DK/NA 2 1 1 1 2 2
    Source

  • 37. How serious a problem do you think the cost of living is in the United States today; a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not so serious problem, or not a problem at all?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very serious 64% 45% 81% 63% 62% 67%
    Smwht serious 28 39 18 31 30 27
    Not so serious 5 11 1 3 4 5
    Not a problem at all 2 3 - 2 2 1
    Source

  • 38. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - groceries; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 26% 43% 18% 21% 27% 24%
    Somewhat easy 36 37 36 37 37 35
    Somewhat difficult 25 15 29 29 25 25
    Very difficult 12 4 17 12 10 13
    DK/NA 2 - - 1 1 2
    Source

  • 39. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - gas; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 33% 52% 23% 29% 36% 31%
    Somewhat easy 32 28 33 37 34 31
    Somewhat difficult 21 12 26 24 20 21
    Very difficult 8 3 9 8 6 11
    DK/NA 6 5 10 2 4 7
    Source

  • 40. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - electricity; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 33% 53% 24% 26% 33% 32%
    Somewhat easy 30 28 30 35 35 26
    Somewhat difficult 23 14 27 25 20 25
    Very difficult 11 4 17 11 10 13
    DK/NA 3 2 2 3 3 3
    Source

  • 41. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - holiday gifts; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 22% 33% 16% 18% 25% 18%
    Somewhat easy 34 44 27 33 35 32
    Somewhat difficult 24 11 33 27 24 23
    Very difficult 18 7 23 20 12 23
    DK/NA 4 5 2 2 3 4
    Source

  • 42. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - rent or mortgage; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 25% 40% 16% 23% 26% 24%
    Somewhat easy 30 34 27 32 30 30
    Somewhat difficult 22 12 26 26 26 19
    Very difficult 13 5 19 12 11 15
    DK/NA 10 10 11 7 8 12
    Source

  • 43. How easy or difficult is it for you to afford - health care; very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, or very difficult?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very easy 28% 46% 18% 20% 30% 26%
    Somewhat easy 31 30 30 36 31 31
    Somewhat difficult 21 14 26 24 18 23
    Very difficult 19 8 25 19 19 18
    DK/NA 2 1 2 1 2 2
    Source

  • 44. Thinking about the war between Russia and Ukraine, do you think Donald Trump is favoring Russia too much, favoring Ukraine too much, or striking about the right balance?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Favoring Russia 48% 12% 84% 51% 44% 52%
    Favoring Ukraine 3 2 3 5 4 2
    Right balance 36 71 7 31 41 31
    DK/NA 13 15 5 13 12 14
    Source

  • 45. How closely have you been following news about the U.S. military buildup and actions in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean targeting Venezuela in what the Trump administration says is a campaign to stop the flow of illegal drugs; very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very closely 42% 43% 41% 40% 49% 36%
    Somewhat closely 35 37 36 35 33 37
    Not too closely 22 18 23 25 17 26
    DK/NA 1 2 - 1 1 1
    Source

  • 46. Do you support or oppose U.S. military attacks to kill suspected drug smugglers on boats in international waters?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Support 42% 83% 6% 38% 48% 36%
    Oppose 53 14 89 57 48 59
    DK/NA 5 3 4 5 4 5
    Source

  • 47. Do you support or oppose U.S. military action inside Venezuela?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Support 25% 52% 4% 19% 31% 19%
    Oppose 63 33 89 68 59 67
    DK/NA 12 15 7 13 10 15
    Source

  • 48. Australia has a ban on social media for kids under 16 years of age. Would you like to see a similar ban in the United States, or not?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Would 61% 65% 58% 62% 57% 64%
    No 34 32 36 34 37 31
    DK/NA 5 3 6 4 6 4
    Source

Timeline

2017‑2021 – Venezuelan‑born residents in the United States increase by about 140 000 as political repression, hyperinflation and shortages drive a migration surge, with most refugees settling in Colombia, Brazil and other Latin American nations rather than the U.S. [3]

2019 – The United States imposes oil‑sector sanctions that slash PDVSA’s revenue, contributing to a 71 % contraction of Venezuela’s economy and worsening the humanitarian crisis. [3]

2024 – Venezuela holds a disputed presidential election; Maduro’s government denies drug‑trafficking links while Washington pushes for his ouster, setting the political backdrop for later U.S. pressure. [5]

Sep 2, 2025 – State Secretary Marco Rubio tells reporters the intercepted boat “is probably headed to Trinidad,” framing the target as a regional drug‑trafficking vessel. [1]

Sep 3, 2025 – Rubio revises his assessment, saying the same boat is “headed towards, eventually, the United States,” adding ambiguity to its intended destination. [1]

Sep 5, 2025 – President Trump publicly denies any intention to pursue regime change in Venezuela, maintaining a drug‑interdiction narrative. [1]

Sep 15 – Dec 2025 – Trump mentions a possible ground operation against Venezuela at least 17 times, using phrases like “very soon” and “the land is easier” to signal urgency and keep the option on the public agenda. [2]

Sep 18, 2025 – In a Politico interview Trump declares “Maduro’s days are numbered,” shifting his rhetoric from drug‑focused language to overt regime‑change threats. [1]

Sep 2025 – U.S. forces conduct at least 12 naval strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific, intensifying the maritime pressure campaign. [2]

Nov 2025 – Trump and Maduro hold a phone conversation, indicating diplomatic channels remain open despite escalating threats of kinetic action. [3]

Dec 4, 2025 – Trump announces that U.S. land strikes on Venezuelan targets will begin “very soon,” prompting strong reactions from the large Venezuelan exile community in Doral, Florida, where many fear loss of TPS and humanitarian parole. [7]

Dec 9, 2025 – Trump tells Politico he will not rule out sending ground troops and a Newsweek map outlines 21 possible Venezuelan targets, while analysts note the U.S. carrier strike group signals a capacity for a larger operation. [6]

Dec 12, 2025 – Trump states, “It’s going to be starting on land pretty soon,” linking imminent ground strikes to a broader crackdown on narcotics after the U.S. seizes a Venezuelan oil tanker. [5]

Dec 17, 2025 – In an 18‑minute national address, Trump hints at possible land strikes, announces a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers, and frames the move as retaliation for the recent tanker seizure. [4]

Dec 18, 2025 – White House chief of staff Susie Wiles tells Vanity Fair that the boat‑strike campaign aims to “blow boats up until Maduro cries uncle,” explicitly tying maritime attacks to regime‑change pressure. [1][2]

Dec 18, 2025 – The administration frames the boat strikes as anti‑drug operations; Trump posts a video warning “narco‑terrorists,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echo that the missions protect American lives and secure maritime borders. [1]

2025 (future projection) – A Niskanen Center study models that limited U.S. strikes could force 1.7–3 million Venezuelans to flee within a few years, while a protracted conflict could displace over 4 million, overwhelming neighboring Colombia and Brazil. [3]

2025 (future actions) – U.S. officials brief Trump on possible expansion of strikes to other drug‑trafficking hubs such as Mexico and Colombia, and Reuters reports plans to intercept additional sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments. [6][5]

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