Morning Wire Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Blockade & AmFest Kicks Off | 12.18.25
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Dec 18, 2025 
Jenny Ter, a Daily Wire immigration reporter, dives into Trump's blockade on Venezuelan oil, explaining enforcement tactics and the strategy behind targeting Maduro's finances. Amanda Presta-Giacomo covers the kickoff of Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, shedding light on leadership shifts following recent tragedies. They discuss everything from the political pressure exerted through oil sanctions to the organization's responses to conspiracy theories. Tune in for insights on U.S. foreign policy and the evolving landscape of conservative leadership!
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Blockade Aims To Cripple Maduro's Finances
- The Trump administration escalated enforcement by blockading sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers to cut Maduro's revenue streams.
- Jenny Ter explains this aims to economically pressure Maduro and potentially prompt him to leave without U.S. military casualties.
Oil Is Maduro's Lifeline
- Venezuela's oil exports are the regime's primary income and roughly 80% went to Chinese buyers via deceptive 'ghost ship' tactics.
- Cutting that flow would severely harm Maduro's ability to fund his government and allied networks.
Terror Label Broadens U.S. Options
- The administration labels Maduro's inner circle, including Cartel de los Soles, as a terrorist organization tied to drug smuggling.
- That designation broadens legal tools for strikes and sanctions against regime-linked trafficking networks.