This morning Cubans are suffering from the third nationwide blackout this month, leaving 10 million people without power, according to Cuba's Ministry of Energy. The country's power grid collapsed Saturday evening as the government struggles with the decaying infrastructure and U .S. imposed oil blockade.The blackout comes as President Trump is doubling down on hints of imminent change for Cuba. In response to what the U .S. would do with the country, President Trump told MSNOW Stephanie Ruhle in a phone ca ...

A prolonged blockade risks creating a humanitarian crisis on America’s doorstep. That would be bad for Cubans, bad for the United States, and risks pushing the island further towards China and Russia https://t.co/VeIRjNPA9B ...

A prolonged blockade risks creating a humanitarian crisis on America’s doorstep https://t.co/Vl4jOiHpOX ...

Geopolitical Risk - US blockade of Venezuela could have wider consequences for global oil trade [1]

Geopolitical Impact on Oil Market - The Trump administration's blockade of sanctioned oil tankers is increasing pressure on Venezuela's government [1] - The administration is now targeting unsanctioned vessels to maximize pressure on companies exporting Venezuelan crude [2][3] - Chevron has a waiver allowing some exports, mitigating the full impact of the blockade [3] Oil Price and Supply/Demand Dynamics - Venezuela's oil production is less than 1% of global demand [4] - A complete halt of Venezuelan exports could cause a temporary price increase due to market sentiment [4] - The global oil market faces a large oversupply going into 2026 [5] - Demand growth is not keeping pace with increasing supply from OPEC+, the US, and other countries [5][6] - Despite potential short-term price spikes, analysts predict a downward trend due to the oversupply [6]

Geopolitical Risk - The US is intensifying a blockade against Venezuela by pursuing a third oil tanker off its coast [1] - The Trump administration aims to cut off Venezuela's vital economic lifeline and isolate President Nicolás Maduro's government [1]

US-Venezuela Relations & Oil Industry Implications - The US is implementing a "quarantine" against Venezuela, targeting sanctioned oil tankers, which is a step below a blockade [1][2] - A de facto quarantine already exists due to vessels being hesitant to transit near Venezuela [2] - The US justifies the quarantine by enforcing existing sanctions on these tankers [3][4] - The action chokes off a vital feedstock (oil) for the Venezuelan economy, which is heavily reliant on oil exports [5][6] - Venezuela's oil exports are currently just below 900,000 barrels [6] Potential Economic Impact on Venezuela - The scope and enforcement mechanism of the quarantine will significantly impact Venezuela's ability to generate revenue [7] - There are approximately 30 US-sanctioned tankers in Venezuelan waters out of about 80 vessels [8] Shifting Justifications & Potential Motives - The initial justification of stopping drug trade has shifted to acquiring land and oil rights [16][17] - President Trump alleges that the US had oil rights that were taken away and "we want it back" [17] - The US may be using this as an opportunity to reclaim oil assets, with Chevron being the only remaining US company with a presence [18][19] - The operation may ultimately be about regime change and pressuring Nicolas Maduro [20] - The end goal might involve Venezuela making a deal with the US to return what Trump alleges has been stolen [21][22]

Tonight, President Trump announced on social media that Venezuela is completely surrounded by what he called the largest Armada ever assembled in the history of South America. He said that Armada was enforcing a quote total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela. Now, that announcement comes just a week after the Trump administration seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.And all of that has been done without any congressional approval. And this comes ju ...

>> NBC'S SARAH JAMES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING THERE FOR US. MEANWHILE, TENSIONS WITH VENEZUELA CONTINUE TO ESCALATE, WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP NOW SAYING HE IS ORDERING A BLOCKADE OF SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS BOTH LEAVING AND ENTERING VENEZUELA. WE'RE GOING TO BREAK THAT DOWN IN JUST A SECOND.BUT FIRST, NEW VIDEO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. JUST THIS WEEK, THE U.S. STRUCK THREE MORE BOATS IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC, KILLING EIGHT PEOPLE. THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM THESE STRIKES ALL THE WAY TO A ...

Geopolitical Risk - US orders a "complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela [1] Oil Market Impact - The blockade targets sanctioned oil tankers, potentially disrupting oil supply [1]