Political Tensions Drive Oil Prices Up Amid U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela
December 17, 2025545 VuesTemps de lecture: 1 minutes
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Oil prices surged today following a new escalation in U.S. relations with Venezuela, as President Donald Trump announced sanctions that heightened geopolitical concerns in global energy markets.
January futures for West Texas Intermediate crude rose by 1.61% to $56.16 per barrel at 10:15 AM Moscow time, while February Brent crude increased by 1.54% to $59.83 per barrel.
This increase followed Trump's directive on Tuesday, imposing a blockade on all tankers subject to sanctions entering or leaving Venezuela, labeling the country’s ruling authorities as a "foreign terrorist organization." This move could intensify pressure on Venezuela's energy sector.
According to estimates from a U.S. oil trader, these sanctions could disrupt supplies by 400,000 to 500,000 barrels per day, potentially driving prices up by one to two dollars per barrel in the coming weeks.
Conversely, Asian oil market traders noted that the current price increase is not solely due to political tensions, but also reflects a return of investors to futures contracts after prices dipped below $60 per barrel yesterday, reinforcing today’s upward trading trend.
January futures for West Texas Intermediate crude rose by 1.61% to $56.16 per barrel at 10:15 AM Moscow time, while February Brent crude increased by 1.54% to $59.83 per barrel.
This increase followed Trump's directive on Tuesday, imposing a blockade on all tankers subject to sanctions entering or leaving Venezuela, labeling the country’s ruling authorities as a "foreign terrorist organization." This move could intensify pressure on Venezuela's energy sector.
According to estimates from a U.S. oil trader, these sanctions could disrupt supplies by 400,000 to 500,000 barrels per day, potentially driving prices up by one to two dollars per barrel in the coming weeks.
Conversely, Asian oil market traders noted that the current price increase is not solely due to political tensions, but also reflects a return of investors to futures contracts after prices dipped below $60 per barrel yesterday, reinforcing today’s upward trading trend.
