All articles tagged with #blockade
The US says it intercepted the sanctioned oil tanker Bertha in the Indian Ocean for defying a Venezuelan oil blockade, with the vessel last transmitting location data far south of Sri Lanka; this marks the latest seizure in Washington’s push to block Venezuelan oil, occurring amid a broader US naval buildup in the Middle East and Mediterranean.
Cuba’s president Miguel Díaz-Canel said Havana is willing to talk with the United States on any topic but only without pressure or preconditions, signaling a potential shift after months of Trump-era threats. He criticized US media campaigns and said the island faces ongoing economic and energy hardships under the blockade, with support messages from China and Russia and rumors of talks in Mexico. The government plans measures to cope with the strain, highlighting the difficulty for both the state and Cuban people.
Washington’s move to tariff oil to Cuba and hints of a blockade, combined with Mexico halting shipments and dwindling reserves, could leave Cuba short of fuel within weeks, risking deeper blackouts, disrupted transport and a worsening economy for ordinary Cubans.
War and the blockade have left thousands of Gaza cancer patients unable to flee for urgent care, with evacuation routes hampered by the Rafah crossing closure and scarce medicines; cancer deaths have surged as basic diagnostics and chemotherapy vanish, and Gaza’s only specialized cancer hospital was destroyed in 2025, forcing treatment into makeshift clinics and prolonging suffering, even as a handful win court-backed exemptions to travel for care. About 11,000 Gaza cancer patients need treatment outside the territory, and roughly 900 have died waiting for evacuation, according to the WHO and aid groups.
The New York Times analyzed AIS data and found that China twice mobilized thousands of civilian fishing boats to form massive, densely packed formations in the East China Sea (one in December and another in January), creating floating barriers about 200 miles long. Experts say the maneuvers indicate a coordinated effort to train and showcase maritime militia capabilities, enabling Beijing to rapidly muster large numbers of vessels to monitor or disrupt sea lanes in a potential Taiwan crisis, even though such boats alone could not enforce a blockade.
The PRC conducted large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, simulating a blockade and rehearsing various military operations to pressure Taiwan and deter foreign support, involving naval, air, and missile capabilities, and emphasizing psychological and political coercion.
President Trump announced a 'complete blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela, escalating pressure on Maduro's regime, with actions described as a legal quarantine rather than a military blockade, raising questions about the scope and impact of the move.
The U.S. military boarded a Venezuelan oil tanker not under sanctions to enforce a blockade, signaling increased pressure on Maduro's regime and warning other vessels about potential interdiction, even if they are not officially sanctioned.
President Trump announced a 'total and complete blockade' of all sanctioned oil tankers to Venezuela, escalating pressure on Maduro's government, which he declared a terrorist organization, potentially impacting Venezuela's economy and international relations.
President Trump announced a 'total and complete blockade' of Venezuelan oil tankers, escalating pressure on Maduro's regime and targeting Venezuela's oil industry amid ongoing sanctions and military threats, with Venezuela condemning the move as a violation of international law.
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a 'blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela to increase pressure on Maduro's government, leading to a rise in oil prices and raising legal and geopolitical questions about the move's legality and impact on global oil markets.
President Donald Trump has ordered a blockade on oil tankers that are sanctioned off Venezuela, as part of broader efforts to exert pressure on the Venezuelan government.
Israeli forces intercepted a nine-vessel aid flotilla heading to Gaza with food and medical supplies, detaining all passengers and asserting the operation was an illegal breach of the naval blockade amid ongoing conflict and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The final vessel of a 42-strong pro-Palestinian flotilla attempting to breach Israel's Gaza blockade was intercepted by Israeli forces, with participants including Greta Thunberg and other activists being detained and set for deportation. The flotilla, which approached closer than ever since the blockade began in 2009, highlights ongoing tensions over Gaza aid efforts.
Israeli navy intercepted nine boats from a pro-Palestinian aid flotilla headed to Gaza, including activists like Greta Thunberg, amid escalating tensions and ongoing conflict in Gaza. The flotilla aimed to break the blockade and deliver aid, but was met with aggressive interception tactics by Israel, which labeled the flotilla as provocation amidst a severe military offensive in Gaza. The situation remains tense and unfolding.