On the 16th local time, US President Trump ordered a complete blockade of all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. He posted on social media on the same day that he believes the current Venezuelan government is a “foreign terrorist organization.” Earlier, it was reported that the US is continuing to strengthen its military presence in the Caribbean near Venezuela, and that F-35A fighter and EA-18G “Growler” electronic warfare aircraft have been deployed to Puerto Rico. Some military experts said that the newly added weapons and equipment showed that America's recent military movements were not only a symbolic display of force, but were preparing to launch an attack. Venezuelan Defense Minister Lopez said on the 15th that for the Commission, surrender is absolutely impossible. The whole country is always on alert, and Venezuela is ready to defend the motherland. He stressed that the Venezuelan people are “rising up against the shameful acts of American imperialism.”

On the 16th local time, US President Trump ordered a complete blockade of all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. He posted on social media on the same day that he believes the current Venezuelan government is a “foreign terrorist organization.” Earlier, it was reported that the US is continuing to strengthen its military presence in the Caribbean near Venezuela, and that F-35A fighter and EA-18G “Growler” electronic warfare aircraft have been deployed to Puerto Rico. Some military experts said that the newly added weapons and equipment showed that America's recent military movements were not only a symbolic display of force, but were preparing to launch an attack. Venezuelan Defense Minister Lopez said on the 15th that for the Commission, surrender is absolutely impossible. The whole country is always on alert, and Venezuela is ready to defend the motherland. He stressed that the Venezuelan people are “rising up against the shameful acts of American imperialism.”