Venezuela said in response to the announced blockade that it rejected Trump’s “grotesque threat.” Venezuela deployed its navy to escort tankers leaving the country’s main oil port from Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning, following Trump’s announcement, according to the New York Times.

President Donald Trump ramped up pressure on Venezuela on Tuesday by announcing that he is ordering a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers ” entering and leaving the South American country.

In response to President Donald Trump's partial blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers, Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro has ordered his navy to escort ships carrying oil.

U.S. Attorney General/Handout via REUTERS WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's decision to impose a partial blockade on Venezuela marks a dramatic escalation in ‌U.S. ​pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro,