Geopolitical Risk & Sanctions - The Trump administration escalated actions against Venezuela, seizing an oil tanker and sanctioning six additional tankers, alleging support for foreign terrorist organizations [1][5] - The US intends to seize the oil from the tanker through a legal process [3] - The administration defends the seizure as enforcement of sanctions policies against a regime involved in drug trafficking [4][5][11] - The US is treating Venezuela like an enemy terrorist state and is willing to target it by sea, land, and possibly air [13] - The US government is assisting the Venezuelan opposition [16][17] Economic Impact & Oil Market - The seizure of the tanker aims to curtail Venezuela's ability to export oil and receive foreign currency [27] - The seized oil could be worth $100 million to $150 million, impacting Maduro's government finances and potentially disrupting cooperation with Iran, Russia, and Southeast Asian criminal groups [29][30] - The US Treasury Department sanctioned six crude oil tankers as part of a fresh round of sanctions on Venezuela [5][12] Potential for Military Action & Regional Implications - Republicans support the tanker seizure, while Democrats warn of potential war escalation [6][8] - The administration's actions could be a prelude to military invasion, raising concerns about potential tragic results in Venezuela [8] - The US has a significant military presence in the region, with over 10% of the Navy and 14,000 troops [24] - Threats of action against Colombia are part of an effort to telegraph the administration's seriousness in achieving its objectives [23] - Concerns exist about potential land strikes in Venezuela and involvement in Colombia, with questions raised about presidential authority and the War Powers Act [33][37]

Kelly. Yeah, let me walk you through it. First of all, Caroline Levit, the White House press secretary, just told reporters in a briefing here at the White House a short time ago that the US does intend to seize the oil on the tanker that has already been secured.That tanker will be moved to a US port. She said uh that officials are on board the tanker interviewing the crew, scouring the ship uh for information and evidence and ultimately an investigation will be launched as to whether the assets, the ship ...

The US sanctioned three of Nicolas Maduro’s nephews as well as six oil tankers, ramping up pressure on the Venezuelan president a day after seizing a vessel carrying crude off the country’s coast https://t.co/L1quS9NOXf ...

We have some breaking news, some new reports on the US preparing to seize more oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela. Aean Jabers is here with the details from the White House. Aean, >> Kelly, yeah, let me walk you through it.First of all, Caroline Levit, the White House press secretary, just told reporters in a briefing here at the White House a short time ago that the US does intend to seize the oil on the tanker that has already been secured. That tanker will be moved to a US port. She said uh that offi ...

With respect to the oil and what happened yesterday, the Department of Justice requested and was approved for a warrant to seize a vessel because it's a sanctioned shadow vessel known for carrying black market sanctioned oil to the IRGC, which you know is a sanctioned entity. So, the president is committed to stopping the illegal flow of drugs into our country. He's also fully committed to effectuating this administration's sanction policy, and that's what you saw and the world saw take place yesterday.And ...

Tensions between the Trump admin and Venezuela are at an all-time-high. Now, new research reveals crypto is central to how the isolated nation operates (and potentially evades sanctions).Decrypt’s @s_lutz95 is at the White House to break down a new report from @trmlabs and what it means for the escalating situation in South America. ...

US forces intercepted and seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking a serious escalation of tensions between the two countries. This is video that US Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X showing heavily armed forces descending to the ship’s deck from a Black Hawk helicopter, in a standard commando-style tactic called “fast roping.” “For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting forei ...

Crypto Is Now Central to Venezuela’s Economy—And Poses Sanctions Risks: TRM► https://t.co/ZrAItIqL1R https://t.co/ZrAItIqL1R ...

The White House, in sharp escalation of military action, has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. President Trump initially gave little information on why that tanker was taken by US forces, and as you heard earlier, he seemed to be unsure of where the oil on board would even end up. >> Well, thank you very much.It's been an interesting day from the standpoint of news. As you probably know, we've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker, very large, largest one ever seiz ...

We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. A large tanker, very large. Largest one ever seized actually and other things are happening.So you'll be seeing that later and you'll be talking about that later with some of the people. Venezuela denounces and repudiates energetically what constitutes a blatant theft and an act of international piracy announced publicly by the President of the United States. For more on this story, let's bring in Bloomberg energy reporter Stephen Stapczynski.Stephen, wh ...