international_relations

Maduro: Venezuela Will Never Be Colonized and Will Continue Its Trade with the World

December 18, 2025 aljazeera.net
Maduro: Venezuela Will Never Be Colonized and Will Continue Its Trade with the World

Maduro accuses the United States of seeking to impose a puppet government in Venezuela and affirms continued trade.

SUMMARY

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accuses the United States of attempting to impose a puppet government in Venezuela and asserts that his country will never be colonized and will continue trading with the world. Venezuela's UN representative accuses the U.S. administration of violating the UN Charter and imposing illegal naval and aerial blockades. The UN Security Council may hold a session to discuss the situation in Venezuela at Caracas's request. U.S. oil companies refuse to return to Venezuela even after Maduro's departure, while Venezuelan oil storage nears full capacity due to U.S. restrictions. Trump imposes a blockade on oil tankers heading to Venezuela, but Venezuela confirms its oil exports continue despite sanctions.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Maduro affirms that Venezuela will never be colonized and will continue its trade with the world.
  • Venezuela's UN representative accuses the United States of violating international law and imposing naval and aerial blockades.
  • The UN Security Council may hold a session to discuss the situation in Venezuela at Caracas's request.
  • U.S. oil companies refuse to return to Venezuela even after Maduro's departure.
  • Trump imposes a blockade on oil tankers heading to Venezuela, and Venezuela confirms continued exports.

CORE SUBJECT

Maduro's statements on Venezuelan sovereignty and U.S. sanctions

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused the United States of seeking to impose a puppet government in his country, affirming that such a government "would not last more than 48 hours." He added that Venezuela has achieved the highest level of national unity by respecting sovereignty and independence, stressing that his country "will never be colonized" and will continue its trade with the world. Maduro called on the Colombian people to unite in confronting what he described as violations of international law by "colonial governments in the North." The Venezuelan president affirmed his confidence in the unity of the people and the army "to guarantee our right to our oil, minerals, and all our lands," considering the U.S. demands to be "militaristic, colonial, and aimed at regime change." Meanwhile, Venezuela's representative to the United Nations accused the U.S. administration of violating Article 2.4 of the UN Charter by threatening the use of force and imposing a unilateral naval blockade that contravenes international law, as well as attempting to impose an aerial blockade that endangers civilian aviation. He added that U.S. President Donald Trump's statements are "unprecedented and violate our sovereignty and territorial integrity," calling for an emergency Security Council meeting to discuss the "ongoing U.S. aggression." Diplomatic sources told Al Jazeera that the UN Security Council might hold a session next week to discuss the situation in Venezuela, possibly sooner depending on developments. Reuters quoted a UN diplomat saying the meeting is likely to take place next Tuesday at Caracas's request. In this context, Politico reported that U.S. oil companies have informed the Trump administration that they do not wish to return to Venezuela even after Maduro's departure, while the administration discussed with those companies the possibility of returning if the regime changes. Bloomberg also reported that Venezuela's oil storage facilities are nearing full capacity amid U.S. restrictions on crude exports. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a blockade on all "sanctioned oil tankers" heading to Venezuela, stating he would not allow anyone to breach the blockade. On the same day, Venezuela raised the tone of defiance against the United States, affirming that its oil exports have not been affected by Trump's announcement of a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers. The national oil company clarified that crude and derivatives exports are proceeding normally and that tankers continue to sail safely. The accumulated sanctions have resulted in Venezuelan production dropping to less than one million barrels per day, while European Union imports have declined by 75%.

KEYWORDS

Maduro Venezuela United States sanctions oil Security Council Trump

MENTIONED ENTITIES 8

Nicolás Maduro

👤 Person_Male

Venezuelan president

United States

📍 Location_Country

Country accused of attempting to impose a puppet government in Venezuela

United Nations

🏛️ Organization

International organization whose charter the U.S. administration is accused of violating

Donald Trump

👤 Person_Male

Former U.S. president who imposed a blockade on oil tankers to Venezuela

UN Security Council

🏛️ Organization

Body that may hold a session to discuss the situation in Venezuela

Caracas

📍 Location_City

Capital of Venezuela and requester of the Security Council meeting

Politico

🏛️ Organization

Newspaper that reported on the stance of U.S. oil companies

Bloomberg

🏛️ Organization

News agency that reported on the status of Venezuela's oil storage facilities