Consider This from NPR What's Trump's Venezuela endgame?
26 snips
Dec 17, 2025 Greg Myrie, an NPR correspondent specializing in U.S. policy, and Kerry Kahn, who reports from Brazil on Latin America, dive into the escalating U.S.-Venezuela tensions. They discuss Trump's tanker blockade and Venezuela's fierce nationalistic responses. Myrie reveals the number of vulnerable tankers under U.S. sanctions, while Kahn emphasizes the improbability of economic pressure alone ousting Maduro. The two explore whether oil could be used as a leverage point for negotiations and the limits of U.S. military action in the region.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Blockade Targets Venezuela's Economic Lifeline
- A U.S. blockade of sanctioned tankers would sharply cut Venezuela's crucial oil revenue and hit its economy hard.
- Greg Myrie notes a full tanker can carry about $100 million worth of oil, so seizures would be a major financial blow.
Many Tankers Are On The Sanctions List
- Around 30 of roughly 80 tankers near Venezuela are on a U.S. sanctions list and could be targeted for seizure.
- Many flagged ships are "go-ships" that disguise identity to evade sanctions from countries like Russia, Iran and Venezuela.
'Return Stolen Assets' Remark Is Vague
- Trump's claim that Venezuela must return oil and assets is unclear and may reference past nationalizations.
- Greg Myrie explains U.S. firms largely left after 1970s nationalization, though Chevron still operates under a U.S. license.