U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that efforts to halt Venezuelan drug trafficking “by land” would begin “very soon,” intensifying tensions with Caracas at a time when Venezuela’s vast oil reserves remain a pivotal factor in global energy and political calculations.

The country holds the world’s largest proven crude deposits, and any future change in production—whether through political shifts, sanctions adjustments or new agreements—could eventually boost global supply, ease U.S. inflationary pressures and strengthen Washington’s leverage in a region increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition .

Why It Matters

The U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean, including recent strikes on vessels allegedly carrying narcotics, signals Washington’s willingness to apply

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