Experts say that Russian and Chinese support for Venezuela has largely dried up, with no prospect of real military or financial aid.

Oil prices climbed after President Trump announced a blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, though weak global fundamentals capped the market’s upside.

Oil futures added modestly to gains with market focus on efforts toward a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement and stepped up U.S. actions against Venezuela.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko delivered an extensive statement covering U.S. relations, military cooperation with Russia, and global geopolitical trends. Praising U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to diplomacy,

Russia has issued a stern warning to the United States, urging President Trump’s administration not to make a “fatal mistake” over Venezuela, following Trump’s order of a blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the country.

President Trump’s approach to foreign policy in Venezuela is presenting a stark contrast with his approach to other countries as he seeks to escalate tensions with the South American country.

President Trump has not clearly called for regime change in Venezuela as Chief of Staff Susie Wiles says he's in an anti-war mood this term.

MIAMI (AP) — Some oil vessels are diverting away from Venezuela after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the South American country, a dramatic escalation in the White House’s pressure campaign on leader Nicolás Maduro.

Oil futures picked up from four sessions of losses after President Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.

U.S. Attorney General/Handout via REUTERS WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's decision to impose a partial blockade on Venezuela marks a dramatic escalation in ‌U.S. ​pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro,