US EditionOil rises over 1% as Trump's Venezuela blockade stokes uncertainty
The U.S. naval blockade targets sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers to pressure Maduro’s regime, risking disruption of up to 850,000 barrels per day, mainly shipped to China.
- On Wednesday, President Donald Trump ordered a `total and complete` naval blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, pushing West Texas Intermediate crude up more than 1% to $55.96.
- The escalation is part of a broader campaign aimed at Venezuela's oil-dependent economy, following a sanctioned oil tanker seizure last week by U.S. forces and labeling Maduro's government a `foreign terrorist organization`.
- Targeting the shadow fleet could remove a measurable share of Venezuela's roughly 850,000 barrels per day exports to China, potentially tightening global supply by 1 to 2 percent despite common evasion tactics, traders say.
- As of December 17 the move provided a short-term market jolt, but sustainability is uncertain as analysts watch Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela's retaliation and the U.S. Navy's deployment scale.
- Industry forecasts point to an oversupply next year driven by record U.S. production at 13.5 million bpd, resilient OPEC+ flows and weaker Chinese demand, with inventories growing through 2026.
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26 Articles
CODEPINK affirms that Trump’s demand for Venezuela to “return” oil, land and assets to the US reveals the true goal of aggression, and recalls that Venezuela defends its resources
The announcement immediately jumped the quotations: Brent +1.75%, WTI +2%. The supplies to China could decrease in February if the oil tankers will not be able to sail. Venezuela has gigantic reserves
The US President significantly increases the pressure on the Venezuelan government. The measures take the country's central oil economy. Caracas speaks of a breach of international law. The escalation makes oil prices rise.
Oil rises over 1% as Trump’s Venezuela blockade stokes uncertainty
Oil prices rose more than 1% on Wednesday after President Donald Trump ordered "a total and complete" blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, raising fresh geopolitical tensions at a time of concerns over demand.
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