Oil Prices Surge Amid U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela
December 17, 2025543 ViewsRead Time: 1 minutes
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Oil prices experienced a notable increase today after U.S. President Donald Trump escalated sanctions against Venezuela, heightening geopolitical tensions in global energy markets and prompting investors to take protective measures.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for January delivery rose by 1.61%, reaching $56.16 per barrel by 10:15 AM Moscow time, while global Brent crude contracts for February increased by 1.54% to $59.83 per barrel.
This uptick followed Trump’s directive on Tuesday to implement a blockade on all oil tankers subject to sanctions entering or exiting Venezuela, designating the country's ruling authorities as a “foreign terrorist organization.” This action is expected to intensify pressure on Venezuela's energy sector.
According to estimates from an American oil trader, these sanctions could disrupt oil supplies by approximately 400,000 to 500,000 barrels per day, potentially driving prices up by one to two dollars per barrel in the near future.
Additionally, traders in Asian oil markets noted that the current price increase is not solely attributed to political developments; it also reflects a rebound in investor interest in futures contracts after prices dipped below the $60 per barrel threshold yesterday, contributing to today’s upward trend.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for January delivery rose by 1.61%, reaching $56.16 per barrel by 10:15 AM Moscow time, while global Brent crude contracts for February increased by 1.54% to $59.83 per barrel.
This uptick followed Trump’s directive on Tuesday to implement a blockade on all oil tankers subject to sanctions entering or exiting Venezuela, designating the country's ruling authorities as a “foreign terrorist organization.” This action is expected to intensify pressure on Venezuela's energy sector.
According to estimates from an American oil trader, these sanctions could disrupt oil supplies by approximately 400,000 to 500,000 barrels per day, potentially driving prices up by one to two dollars per barrel in the near future.
Additionally, traders in Asian oil markets noted that the current price increase is not solely attributed to political developments; it also reflects a rebound in investor interest in futures contracts after prices dipped below the $60 per barrel threshold yesterday, contributing to today’s upward trend.
