Pakistan, Dec. 25 -- The White House has directed U.S. military forces to focus on interdicting Venezuelan oil for at least the next two months. Officials said the move aims to increase economic pressure on Caracas while keeping military options open. The strategy seeks to compel President Nicolas Maduro to make concessions through sanctions and economic tools.

U.S. officials emphasized that while military measures remain possible, the focus is on enforcing economic pressure first. President Donald Trump has privately urged Maduro to step down, warning of a potential "economic calamity" by late January if demands are ignored. The effort has been described as a "quarantine" of Venezuelan oil.

So far, the U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted ...