Day 330

Naval blockade of Venezuela announced

President Trump announces a 'TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE' of Venezuelan oil tankers. The US Navy begins seizing vessels. UN experts condemn the blockade as a violation of international law. A blockade is traditionally considered an act of war.

From: Operation Absolute Resolve: Unilateral US Military Intervention in Venezuela

Naval Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Exports

The Trump administration imposed a naval blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers in December 2025, seizing vessels near the coast. UN experts declared it violated 'fundamental rules of international law,' calling a blockade a prohibited use of force and 'illegal armed aggression under the General Assembly's 1974 Definition of Aggression.' It was conducted without Congressional authorization or a UN Security Council mandate.

Death toll reaches at least 95 across 26+ strikes

Cumulative reporting establishes at least 26 strikes and 95 deaths. Lawfare (crimes against humanity) and Human Rights Watch (extrajudicial killings under international human rights law) publish analyses.

From: Operation Southern Spear: Lethal Drone Strikes on Caribbean and Pacific Drug Boats

Federal judge rules Lake's appointment illegal, voids layoffs

D.C. federal judge Royce Lamberth rules that Kari Lake had illegally served as Acting CEO of USAGM. The court declares that all actions taken by Lake since March 2025 are legally void and orders the agency to bring back hundreds of employees who had been on leave or fired.

From: USAGM and Voice of America Broadcasting Dismantlement

Ninth Circuit hears appeal

Attorneys for the Trump administration argue before a three-judge panel at the Ninth Circuit to lift the injunction blocking sanctuary city funding cuts.

From: Punishing Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Federal Funding Cutoffs and Threats Against Entire States