Economic Situation - Cuba's economy is nearing collapse [1] Geopolitical Factors - The U.S oil blockade against Cuba is a contributing factor [1] - The U.S military buildup against Venezuela is a contributing factor [1]

Geopolitical Risk & Oil Market Impact - The US is intensifying an oil blockade against Nicolas Maduro's government in Venezuela [1] - The US is pursuing a third oil tanker, Bella 1, near Venezuela [1] - Bella 1 is a Panamanian-flagged vessel sanctioned by the US [1] - The attempted interdiction follows the boarding of the Century Super Tanker and the Skipper [1]

Economic Situation - Cuba's economy is nearing collapse [1] - The collapse is a result of the U S oil blockade [1] - The collapse is a result of the U S military buildup against Venezuela [1]

>> THIS IS HORIZONS MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA. TOP STORIES THIS MORNING. ASIAN STOCKS RISE AS TRADERS GEAR UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH HIGH HOPES FOR A YEAR AND A SANTA RALLY.THE U.S. PURSUES A THIRD VENEZUELAN TANKER AS PRESIDENT TRUMP INTENSIFIES THE OIL BLOCKADE. AND AXIOS REPORTS THAT ISRAEL'S WARNING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER IRAN'S MISSILE EXERCISE SAYING IT COULD BE PREPARING FOR A STRIKE ON ISRAEL. WE ARE LIVE IN JERUSALEM WITH THE DETAILS.9:00 A. M. ACROSS THE EMIRATES AND 5:00 A.M. HERE IN LONDON. I'M ...

Economic Situation - Cuba's economy is nearing collapse [1] Geopolitical Factors - The U S oil blockade against Cuba is a contributing factor [1] - The U S military buildup against Venezuela is a contributing factor [1]

Geopolitical Strategy & Regime Change - The US is potentially using the blockade of Venezuela as a strategy for regime change by putting pressure on the current government [1][2] - The US administration has blamed Venezuela for drug trafficking and illegal immigration, using this as justification for increased pressure [3][4] Oil Market Impact Assessment - The US administration's actions are timed to coincide with a market glut and weak oil prices [4] - Initial market reaction shows a nearly 15% increase in oil prices, but Brent crude remains below $60 per barrel [5] - Venezuela's oil exports, roughly 500-600 thousand barrels per day, account for less than 1% of the global oil market's consumption of 100 million barrels per day [6][7] - Removing Venezuelan oil, even entirely, is unlikely to fundamentally alter the oil market due to existing oversupply and weak prices [7][9] - The focus is on where China will find replacements for Venezuelan oil and whether they can find suitable grades [8] Market Sentiment vs Fundamentals - Any price increase is more sentiment-driven than based on actual changes in oil market fundamentals [6] - The oil market faces more downside risk, even with the removal of Venezuelan barrels [9]