Antiwar News With Dave DeCamp 12/17/25: Trump Declares 'Total Blockade' on Venezuelan Tankers, Potential US Base in Israel, and More
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Dec 17, 2025 Trump's declaration of a total blockade on Venezuelan tankers raises legal and humanitarian concerns, as civilian suffering often accompanies such actions. In a troubling escalation, U.S. bombings target alleged drug boats, with implications of regime change in Venezuela. Meanwhile, discussions swirl around a new potential U.S. military base in Israel, raising questions about its location. Amid ongoing violence in the Middle East, claims of peace are challenged, alongside reports of destruction in Gaza and Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
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Blockade Equals Act Of War
- Trump declared a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned Venezuelan tankers, an act that Dave DeCamp says qualifies as an act of war under international law.
- DeCamp highlights that the move appears driven largely by control over Venezuela's oil and assets rather than legitimate legal claims.
Scrutinize Escalation Pretexts
- Watch for provocations that could be used as pretexts for wider conflicts, DeCamp warns, as the U.S. may be provoking Venezuela to justify escalation.
- Scrutinize official claims and motives, especially when economic interests like oil are visibly at stake.
Boat Bombings Push Regime Change
- U.S. forces have bombed dozens of boats, killing dozens, under the narco-trafficking pretext without publicly provided evidence, per DeCamp's report.
- He argues the campaign began near Venezuela and has the apparent aim of pressuring Maduro toward regime change.