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Maduro trapped with few retaliation options after Trump admin seizes Venezuelan oil tanker
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The Trump administration’s latest offensive move against Venezuela, the seizure of a tanker carrying U.S.-sanctioned oil, has triggered predictable outrage from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
But behind the rhetorical fire, analysts say the regime has few practical ways to hit back without doing even more damage to itself.
Experts say that Maduro could target U.S. oil interests in Venezuela, but doing so would almost certainly inflict more pain on his own cash-starved regime than on the United States.
Maduro could also halt U.S.-chartered deportation flights, but again, would be harming his own interests, experts say.
MADURO’S FORCES FACE RENEWED SCRUTINY AS US TENSIONS RISE: ‘A FORTRESS BUILT ON SAND’
«Venezuelans are just leaving the country because of the terrible conditions the regime has created,» said Connor Pfeiffer, a Western Hemisphere analyst at FDD Action. «By having people come back, even if they’re on U.S. charter deportation flights, it kind of counters that narrative.»
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could also halt U.S.-chartered deportation flights, but again, would be harming his own interests, experts say. (Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)
Western oil firms have significantly decreased their presence in Venezuela, home to world’s largest proven oil reserves, in recent years due to sanctions.
But U.S.-owned Chevron does still maintain a license to operate there, on the condition that the Maduro regime does not financially benefit from its operations. Instead, Chevron hands over to Maduro half of its oil production as payment, according to multiple reports.
«Chevron’s operations in Venezuela continue in full compliance with laws and regulations applicable to its business, as well as the sanctions frameworks provided for by the U.S. government,» a Chevron spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Imports of Venezuelan crude have declined to roughly 130,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 150,000 bpd in recent months, below the nearly 300,000 bpd seen under the prior petroleum licensing regime under the Biden administration. Most of Venezuela’s exports are now routed to Asia, with the bulk ultimately landing in China through intermediaries, according to data from Kplr.
Despite that flow of crude, analysts say the idea of Caracas striking back at Chevron is more potent as a talking point than as a viable policy option.
VENEZUELA ACCUSES US OF ‘PIRACY’ AFTER SEIZING MASSIVE OIL TANKER
Shutting down or seizing the company’s operations would instantly cut off one of the few lifelines still feeding Venezuela’s collapsing oil sector. It also would risk triggering a swift and politically difficult American response, including a full reinstatement of the sanctions relief the regime has quietly relied on.
Newly released footage shows U.S. forces securing a Venezuelan oil tanker. (@AGPamBondi via X)
Pfeiffer noted that the Maduro government has been «very supportive of Chevron continuing to operate» because the arrangement provides tens of thousands of barrels a day of oil with minimal investment from Venezuelan-owned Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. Other analysts say that reality sharply limits Maduro’s room to maneuver: any attack on Chevron would strike at his own revenue stream first.
Another theoretical lever — military or maritime escalation — is widely viewed as even less credible. Venezuela has taken delivery of small Iranian-built fast attack craft equipped with anti-ship missiles, a fact that has fueled speculation Maduro could threaten U.S. or allied vessels.
But Venezuela’s navy suffers from years of maintenance failures and lacks the ability to sustain operations against American forces deployed in the Caribbean. Any aggressive move at sea would almost certainly invite a U.S. military response the regime is in no position to absorb.
Diplomatically, Caracas could suspend remaining channels with Washington, or file legal challenges in U.S. courts or international forums. Yet previous efforts to contest sanctions-related seizures have gone nowhere, and Venezuela’s relationships in the hemisphere offer limited leverage.
Regional bodies have little sway over U.S. sanctions law, and even supportive governments in Russia, China, or Iran are unlikely to intervene beyond issuing critical statements. Beijing, now the primary destination for Venezuelan crude, has economic interests at stake but few practical avenues to challenge U.S. enforcement actions.
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Absent direct military strikes, cracking down on sanctioned oil exports is one of the most potent ways the U.S. can weaken the regime, according to Pfeiffer.
«This is one of his main sources of revenue keeping the regime afloat.»
venezuelan political crisis,energy in america,sanctions
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The architect of former President Bill Clinton’s political rise offered a profane preview of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, claiming he will face a «public humiliation» by November.
James Carville, known as the ‘Ragin Cajun’ for his raucous demeanor, claimed every member of Trump’s administration except top adviser Stephen Miller «hates» him. He delivered the remarks on the Politicon YouTube channel he shares with journalist Al Hunt.
«However bad you think this is, however much you see people in your own inner circle, in your military, in your staff, in your Congress, attorney on you, it’s just starting,» Carville said.
«You know how miserable you’re going to be in November? You know, how f—ing miserable you are? Tens of millions of American people get a chance to tell you exactly what they think of you.»
Democratic strategist James Carville doubled down this week after he was called out for predicting Trump’s imminent collapse in February. (AP/»Politics War Room»)
He addressed Trump as if he were watching, telling him to «sit still while I’m talking to you» and advising that «everybody is stabbing you in the back» before calling him a «fat, sorry, sack of s—.»
He claimed the Pentagon has begun, or will begin, leaking information to hurt Trump «because your boy Pete can’t control s—,» in an apparent reference to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
«You can’t trust anyone: trust no one, right. OK, maybe Stephen Miller, I’ll give you that one. The Congress can’t stand you. They’re not going to pass s— for you. They hate you. They know you’re going to bring them to staggering defeat.»
TOP LIBERALS ANTICIPATE PROSECUTION, HUMILIATION OF TRUMP AND HIS MAGA ALLIES WHEN DEMS REGAIN POWER
James Carville speaks onstage during Election Night Live With Brian Williams at Amazon Studios on November 05, 2024, in Culver City, California. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Amazon Studios)
Carville also claimed Congress is in disarray, alleging that his fellow Louisianan Mike Johnson «doesn’t know whether to wind his a– or scratch his watch.»
«You are the most unpopular president at this point in your term that we’ve ever had. They don’t like you. You understand that? They don’t like you. They don’t like the way you smell and the way that you look. They don’t like your fat stomach. They don ‘t like your stupid combover,» Carville said, referring to the American people.
He also referenced the fact that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia ultimately decided to stop seeking prosecution of six federal lawmakers led by Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who produced a video advising service members they can refuse lawful orders.
BILL MAHER CALLS FOR COMPLETE END TO STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AHEAD OF TRUMP SPEECH
«When you lose Judge Jeanine… that’s kind of horrible,» he said, referring to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who is a former judge in Westchester County, N.Y. and ex-Fox News host.
«You’re in the process of getting the living s— kicked out of you. And how bad do you think this is? However much you see people in your own inner circle, in your military, your own staff, and your own Congress attorney on you. It’s just starting.»
Carville closed by wishing Trump «good health» but warned him a «public humiliation is happening as we speak.»
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«People [will] tell you exactly what the f— they think of you, and I got news for you, it ain’t very good,» he said.
In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson called Carville an «irrelevant loser» who «rambles to an audience of no one.»
«This is a sad example of late stage Trump Derangement Syndrome,» Jackson told Fox News Digital.
«President Trump is focused on delivering on his many promises for the American people — driving down costs, tackling Bidenflation, deporting criminal illegal aliens, lowering crime rates, and more,» she added.
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pete hegseth,state of the union,the clintons,donald trump,white house,politics
El presidente de Donald Trump aseguró este martes ante el Congreso que Estados Unidos recibió más de 80 millones de barriles de crudo provenientes de Venezuela, a la que definió como “nuestro nuevo amigo y socio”.
El mandatario afirmó además que el país atraviesa el período de mayor control fronterizo de su historia reciente, como parte de los logros que atribuyó a su segundo mandato.
Leé también: Trump desafía a la Corte Suprema de EE.UU. y anuncia un nuevo arancel global del 10% a las importaciones El presidente de Donald Trump llega al Capitolio para brindar su discurso sobre el estado de la Unión ante el Congreso. (Foto: EFE/EPA/Jim Lo Salzo).
Petróleo venezolano y balance económico
Durante su discurso sobre el estado de la Unión, Trump sostuvo que la producción de petróleo estadounidense aumentó en más de 600.000 barriles diarios, dato que presentó como evidencia del éxito de su política económica y energética.
En ese contexto, recordó que tras la operación militar estadounidense que derrocó y sacó de Caracas al entonces presidente venezolano Nicolás Maduro, actualmente detenido en una cárcel de Nueva York, había anunciado que Venezuela vendería a Estados Unidos entre 30 y 50 millones de barriles de crudo. Según el mandatario, el volumen finalmente recibido superó ampliamente esa cifra inicial.
Trump dice que EE. UU. tiene “la frontera más sólida” en mucho tiempo
En el inicio de su mensaje ante la sesión conjunta del Congreso, Trump afirmó que Estados Unidos tiene hoy “la frontera más sólida” que haya tenido nunca, y vinculó ese resultado directamente con su gestión.
El presidente aseguró que en el último año los cruces fronterizos cayeron a cero, que el tráfico de fentanilo se redujo un 56 % y que los datos de muertes violentas también descendieron, aunque no detalló las fuentes oficiales de esas estadísticas.
“En los últimos nueve meses han sido admitidos a Estados Unidos cero extranjeros ilegales. Pero siempre vamos a permitir personas que ingresen legalmente, gente que amará nuestro país y trabajará duro para mantener nuestra nación”, afirmó Trump en su discurso.
La política migratoria volvió a ocupar un lugar central en la agenda presidencial desde el inicio de su segundo mandato. En las últimas semanas, la muerte de dos ciudadanos estadounidenses durante protestas contra redadas migratorias en Mineápolis, en las que intervinieron agentes federales, desató una crisis política que culminó con el cierre temporal del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) y profundizó la polarización en torno a la estrategia del Gobierno en materia de inmigración.
El discurso estuvo marcado además por la ausencia de decenas de congresistas demócratas, que se retiraron en protesta por la política antimigratoria del Gobierno.
“Una remontada histórica”
El jefe de Estado norteamericano destacó que el país atraviesa una “remontada histórica”, defendió su política de seguridad y advirtió que su Gobierno está dispuesto a responder ante cualquier amenaza, incluidas las provenientes de América Latina.
Trump sostuvo que su administración está “restaurando la seguridad y la dominación de Estados Unidos en el hemisferio occidental”, y aseguró que actúa para proteger los intereses nacionales frente a la violencia, las drogas, el terrorismo y la injerencia extranjera. En ese marco, advirtió que durante años amplias zonas de la región, “incluidas grandes partes de México”, estuvieron controladas por carteles de la droga.
El mandatario destacó como hitos de su política exterior la captura del presidente venezolano Nicolás Maduro, detenido en Nueva York, en lo que definió como la primera aprehensión de un presidente latinoamericano desde la detención de Manuel Noriega en 1989. También aseguró que, el pasado fin de semana, los servicios de inteligencia estadounidenses tuvieron un rol decisivo para que el Ejército mexicano localizara y matara a Nemesio Oseguera, alias “El Mencho”, líder del Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación.
“Después de solo un año, puedo decir con dignidad y orgullo que hemos conseguido una transformación como nunca antes se había visto, y una remontada histórica”, afirmó Trump, de 79 años, en el que definió como su segundo y último mandato.
El rumbo de la economía
Trump también dedicó parte de su mensaje a la economía. Reconoció que el crecimiento de 2025 fue del 2,2%, inferior al del año previo, y que la inflación se mantiene elevada, mientras defendió su apuesta por los aranceles, pese a que la Corte Suprema anuló esa política y le recordó que cualquier modificación deberá pasar por el Congreso, fallo que el mandatario calificó como “muy desafortunado”.
En un tono más celebratorio, Trump evocó el 250º aniversario de la independencia de Estados Unidos, previsto para el próximo 4 de julio, y anunció festejos “por todo lo alto”. También invitó al equipo masculino de hockey sobre hielo que obtuvo la medalla de oro en los Juegos Olímpicos de Milán, un logro que el país no alcanzaba desde 1980, en una noche que combinó gestos patrióticos, advertencias geopolíticas y un marcado clima de confrontación política interna.
Trump advirtió que Irán desarrolla misiles que podrían golpear EE.UU.
Trumpa también aseguró que Irán busca desarrollar misiles que podrían golpear a Estados Unidos, una tecnología de armamento de largo alcance que solo tiene un número limitado de países.
“Ya han desarrollado misiles que pueden amenazar a Europa y a nuestras bases en el extranjero, y están trabajando para construir misiles que pronto alcanzarán a Estados Unidos”, declaró.
“Se les advirtió que no intentaran reconstruir su programa de armas, en particular las nucleares. Sin embargo, siguen empezando de cero”, indicó Trump.
En un momento en que Estados Unidos mantiene el despliegue militar en torno a Irán más importante en Oriente Medio desde la guerra de Irak de 2003, el presidente de Estados Unidos aseguró que “nunca tendrán un arma nuclear”.
Donald Trump, Estados Unidos, Petróleo, Venezuela
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The CIA on Tuesday published a Persian-language video on its X account calling on Iranian dissidents to make secure contact with the agency amid renewed anti-government protests inside the country.
The post came as CIA Director John Ratcliffe joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a classified «Gang of Eight» briefing on Iran on Capitol Hill, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital.
Written in Farsi, the CIA message says the agency «can hear your voice and wants to help you,» and provides operational guidance for those considering reaching out.
The agency urges activists not to use office computers or personal phone lines and instead, if possible, to rely on a disposable «burner» device. It advises ensuring no one can view their screen or monitor their activity.
The video walks viewers through digital security precautions designed to protect their identities.
Military members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in western Tehran, Iran (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It recommends using updated browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari or Firefox in Private Browsing or Incognito mode and clearing device and browser histories after making contact.
The video says the CIA also strongly encourages the use of encryption and anonymity tools such as Tor or a VPN, warning that without such protections, visiting the CIA website could be visible to Iranian security services.
The agency provides instructions for accessing its secure contact portal through Tor and other anti-filtering services.
TED CRUZ URGES US TO ARM IRANIAN PROTESTERS AS MILITIAS THREATEN ‘TOTAL WAR’ AGAINST AMERICA
The state tax building burned during Iran’s protests on Jan. 19, in Tehran, Iran. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)
The post comes as Iran entered its fourth day of escalating university protests and as U.S. negotiators are set to meet Iranian counterparts in Geneva Thursday for a second round of talks.
Tehran announced it would be building on «understandings forged in the previous round» and expressed determination to reach a «fair and equitable deal» swiftly.
In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran reiterated that it would «under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon,» while insisting it would not relinquish its right to peaceful nuclear technology.
Calling the moment a «historic opportunity,» Tehran said a deal was within reach if diplomacy is prioritized, while affirming it would defend its sovereignty «with courage» at home and at the negotiating table.
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Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported Tuesday that the Revolutionary Guard conducted military drills involving missile launches, drone flights and live-fire exercises along the country’s coast, according to Ynet.
Fox News Digital reached out to the CIA for comment, who had nothing further to add.
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iran,cia,military,world,armed forces,world protests,marco rubio
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