US President Donald Trump has threatened Venezuela with a naval blockade to thwart its oil exports — a move that would hit the Maduro government hard but may leave global oil markets unfazed.
Donald Trump's announcement of a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers travelling to and from Venezuela has raised questions about the economic consequences for the regime of leftist president Nicolas Maduro.
Trump has made oil a central target in his ongoing campaign against Maduro, which was sparked by the US president's claims that Maduro was to blame for the illegal flow of both migrants and drugs to the US from Venezuela.
Maduro's powerful international backers, including Russia, China and Iran, have repeatedly offered lifelines against international pressure Image: Pedro Rances Mattey/Anadolu/picture alliance
The fragile Venezuelan economy is exceptionally dependent on oil. If Trump's blockade threat turns out to be more than just words, it would have significant implications for Caracas.
What exactly has Trump threat
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