US Pursuit of Third Oil Tanker Deepens Venezuela Blockade

Venezuela Situation & US Policy - The US administration's strategy towards Venezuela is unclear, specifically how to transition from current pressure to desired outcomes [2][3] - The US is employing "maximum pressure" tactics, including boarding tankers and targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific [4][5] - The legality of seizing tankers, especially those not officially sanctioned, is questionable, with the focus potentially shifting to the oil cargo itself [6][7] - Despite sanctions, some legal oil tankers continue to operate out of Venezuela, with approximately one-fifth of Venezuelan oil still processed in the US by companies like Chevron [8] - Shippers are increasingly hesitant to transport Venezuelan oil due to the risks involved [9] - Chevron operates in Venezuela under a general license, processing the country's "sour" and "sludgy" oil, which is difficult to refine elsewhere [8][10] - The US is calling its actions a "quarantine" rather than a "blockade" to avoid the implications of an act of war [11] Greenland & US Interests - President Trump has not abandoned the idea of acquiring Greenland and continues to pressure the issue [15][16] - The appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy related to Greenland raises questions about the administration's intentions [13] - The administration's focus on Greenland may or may not be a distraction from other issues [14]