President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his administration will impose a 25% tariff on any country purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela.
The decision, part of Trump’s broader economic and immigration policies, follows his crackdown on Venezuelan migrants and the imposition of tariffs on multiple trading partners.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has used tariffs as a key tool to influence both economic and diplomatic affairs, targeting allies and adversaries alike.
“Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Therefore, any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country.”
The U.S. had previously suspended deportation flights to Venezuela after Trump accused the Maduro government of failing to uphold an agreement to accept deported migrants. In response, Venezuela halted the repatriation process.
However, Caracas announced on Saturday that it had reached a new agreement with Washington, leading to the deportation of nearly 200 Venezuelans via Honduras.
This came after Washington, citing national security concerns, deported over 200 Venezuelans—allegedly members of the Tren de Aragua gang—to a maximum-security prison and forced labor camp in El Salvador on March 16, under emergency wartime powers invoked by Trump.
Explaining the reasoning behind the new tariffs, Trump stated, “For numerous reasons, including the fact that Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals.”
He added that the tariffs would take effect on April 2, 2025, a date he referred to as ‘LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA.’
The term is linked to Trump’s broader plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on various trading partners in response to what he claims are unfair economic practices.
Trump has already imposed tariffs on key trading partners, including China, Canada, and Mexico, citing concerns over trade imbalances and their failure to curb the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.
The latest move comes after the U.S. earlier this month ordered energy giant Chevron to cease its operations in Venezuela within a month, dealing a significant blow to the Maduro government’s already struggling economy.
