Christmas cheer might be in the air, but there’s nothing festive about illegal oil trading. In a bid to stamp out shadowy deals under the tropical sun, the U.S. Coast Guard is hot on the tail of yet another renegade oil tanker near Venezuela. This comes on the heels of President Trump’s decisive move to seize a second tanker over the weekend, disrupting what can only be described as an $8 billion under-the-table trade. That’s a number large enough to make even the most seasoned black market aficionados do a double take.
These tankers are part of the shadow fleet, vessels that operate in secrecy to skirt around sanctions and keep the cash flowing into the pockets of Nicolas Maduro and his cronies. It’s been pointed out that these floating dinosaurs are not only old but are poorly maintained, almost like a bad used-car lot on the high seas. What they lack in safety and legality, they make up for in liability. One slip and you’ve got an oil spill disaster waiting to happen. Fortunately, the U.S. has the legal muscle to interdict these vessels. Any seized funds could be funneled into an escrow account intended for the Venezuelan people—not that Maduro is in a rush to hand over the reins to prosperity.
The domino effect of disrupting Maduro’s oil cash flow is far more significant than it might initially appear. Experts argue this pressure could indirectly aim to topple anti-American regimes in Cuba and Nicaragua too. With Cuba’s reliance on Venezuelan oil, particularly in the wake of its current food shortages and energy blackouts, cutting the oil lifeline could have them singing a different tune soon enough. It would certainly bring a mischievous grin to the face of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has more than a casual interest in the future of Cuba.
Meanwhile, halfway across the globe, tensions are simmering in the Middle East. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Mar-a-Lago signifies a recalibration of strategy towards Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “Maintenance” is the term being thrown around, hinting at potential coordinated efforts between the U.S. and Israel to keep Iran’s aspirations in check. Netanyahu and Trump, a duo harder to deter than a pesky telemarketer call, appear ready to spring into action should Iran start rebuilding its nuclear program. Staying ahead of the game is the name of the game, and these leaders seem prepared to play.
In this tangled web of oil and diplomacy, one thing is clear: President Trump and his allies are not playing around. They are dishing out lessons in both international relations and economic sanctions, keeping adversaries on their toes from South America to the Middle East. It’s a tricky geopolitical dance, but with Christmas songs in the background, the U.S. seems determined to make a bold statement on the world stage, sleigh bells and all.
