🚨 U.S. LOCKING IN VENEZUELAN CRUDE — BIG ENERGY SHIFT 👀
The U.S. and Venezuela have agreed to redirect tens of millions of barrels of Venezuelan crude to the U.S. market, likely in the 30–50 million barrel range in a deal worth roughly $2 billion–$3 billion — oil that had been stuck in tankers and storage due to sanctions and a naval blockade.
This marks a major geopolitical and energy realignment:
• U.S. is bringing Venezuelan crude back into its supply chain, which could help boost domestic energy security.
• The oil was previously en route to China, so this redirects flows away from Asia.
• Heavy crude from Venezuela is suited for U.S. Gulf Coast refineries and could put downward pressure on oil prices short term.
Energy security and inflation sentiment could shift — a stable heavy crude supply may ease input costs for refiners but also moves oil geopolitics front and center again. Markets are watching reactions in crude futures and energy equities.
📌 Watchlist:
$RIVER — infrastructure narrative
$XMR — hedge amid geopolitical risk
$IP — growth focused networks