January 1, Trump’s Venezuela Oil Blockade Puts Chevron in Crosshairs

Wyatt’s Take

• Chevron is the only U.S. oil company still operating in Venezuela.
• Trump’s total blockade on sanctioned tankers raises risk for everyone involved.
• Experts warn the crackdown hits at Venezuela’s core economic lifeline.

The Trump administration is clamping down even harder on Venezuela’s oil shipments, putting American energy giant Chevron in a tricky spot.

Chevron must keep its balance while Washington cracks down and Venezuela clings to its massive oil reserves.

This week, President Trump ordered a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers moving in or out of Venezuela.

Vanda Felbab-Brown, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said Chevron faces a sensitive situation.

“In the case of Chevron, the U.S. government allows that oil to move, but it’s certainly a very sensitive place to be.”

While Chevron is not blocked itself, new rules add uncertainty to its efforts inside Venezuela’s oil industry.

“The U.S. has the assets and the political willingness to do this to some extent in Venezuela.”

She said stopping every ship would take up heavy resources.

Chevron says its operations go on without disruption.

“Chevron’s operations in Venezuela continue without disruption and in full compliance with laws and regulations applicable to its business, as well as the sanctions frameworks provided for by the U.S. government,” said Bill Turenne, Chevron’s Head of Public Policy Communications.

The company did not comment on Venezuela’s security environment.

Venezuela relies almost entirely on oil to keep its economy running.

“Anything you do that puts pressure on their ability to bypass sanctions and trade in oil is a direct threat to the economy and by extension the regime,” said Benjamin Jensen at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The White House says it will keep seizing tankers carrying banned Venezuelan oil.

“President Trump is sending the message that this attempt to escape sanctions and use the oil of rogue regimes will no longer stand,”

Diana Furchtgott-Roth from The Heritage Foundation said.

“I don’t know how many ships it is going to take to be seized before that message gets through,”

She added.

The real test will be how strictly this blockade is enforced, and whether it truly hits Venezuela’s rulers where it hurts.

To keep up with stories shaping America’s energy future, follow the latest developments.

Wyatt Matters

When American strength stands up to rogue regimes, it sends a clear signal that law and order still mean something. Our nation depends on honest industry and real backbone—values that Middle America holds close.

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