This Wednesday (Dec 17, 2025), international oil prices spiked after President Donald Trump ordered what he called a 'total and complete blockade' of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers. 📈🚢
In a Truth Social post, Trump warned that Washington would not let a 'hostile regime' control U.S. oil or other assets, escalating tensions with Caracas and injecting fresh geopolitical risk into the energy market. As a result:
- West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose about 1.2%
- Brent crude climbed about 1.3%
Prices even jumped nearly 2% during intraday trading as investors weighed the potential impact on global supply. 😮
Why it matters for you:
- Market Volatility: Geopolitical moves can shake up energy prices in a flash.
- Investment Watch: Energy stocks and ETFs might see new inflows or sell-offs.
- Global Ripple: Higher oil prices push up transport and food costs worldwide.
Keep an eye on the charts as this story unfolds. Will alternative suppliers step up? Can diplomatic talks cool tensions? Stay tuned! ✌️🌍
Reference(s):
Oil prices rise after U.S. orders blockade on Venezuelan tankers
cgtn.com
