WSJ What’s News Trump Takes Aim at Venezuela’s Maduro With Tanker Blockade
Dec 17, 2025
Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, discusses Trump's blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers and its implications for the country's economy amid hyperinflation. Rachel Louise Ensign, a labor market reporter, dives into the rising anxiety among white-collar workers due to a cooling job landscape and fears of AI-driven layoffs. Together, they explore how these issues intertwine, reflecting broader trends in global markets and employment.
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Blockade Hits China-Bound Venezuelan Oil
- The U.S. partial blockade targets roughly 550,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan oil flowing mainly to China.
- Jorge Leon says the move pressures Maduro without drastically spiking global prices because of current market oversupply.
Blockade Could Trigger Venezuelan Economic Collapse
- Venezuela will suffer severe economic pain as oil revenues effectively halt under the blockade.
- Jorge Leon warns this could reignite hyperinflation and deepen Venezuela's crisis.
Tanker U-Turns Show Immediate Disruption
- Tanker trackers observed vessels making U-turns instead of loading in Venezuela.
- That real-time behavior shows the blockade's immediate disruption to shipping patterns.