White House Orders 2-Month 'Quarantine' of Venezuelan Oil, Pivoting from Military Threats

The guns may fall silent, for now. The White House has ordered a strategic pivot, directing the U.S. military to enforce an economic 'quarantine' on Venezuelan oil for the next two months. The move signals a shift from overt military threats to a targeted financial siege aimed at crippling the Maduro regime.

A Two-Month Deadline

A U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday that U.S. forces have been ordered to focus almost exclusively "on the quarantine of Venezuelan oil for at least the next two months." The directive tempers the immediate prospect of U.S. land strikes, which President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested may occur. "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," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The 'Economic Calamity' Gambit

The administration's strategy appears to be to tighten the economic vise on President Nicolas Maduro's government. The official stated that the efforts have already put "tremendous pressure" on Maduro. The belief within the administration is that "by late JanuaryVenezuela will be facing an economic calamity unless it agrees to make significant concessions to the U.S.," according to the official. This sets a clear timeline for Washington's desired outcome.