President Donald Trump’s recent actions in Venezuela are raising questions about U.S. energy prices, the fight against drugs, and what role the military might play next. On Wednesday, Trump announced that the U.S. had seized a large oil tanker near Venezuela. This move is part of a broader campaign to stop illegal drugs from entering the country, but it could also affect how much Americans pay at the gas pump.
Venezuela is already under U.S. sanctions, especially in its oil sector. The latest seizure adds more pressure on the country’s government, which the Trump administration does not recognize as legitimate. Instead, Trump officials have accused Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug cartel. The administration has even offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.
For several weeks, Trump has hinted at the possibility of land strikes in Venezuela. So far, the U.S. has only carried out strikes at sea, targeting boats suspected of carrying drugs. Since September, there have been more than 20 such operations in Latin American waters. The last confirmed strike was in early December. However, military action on land would mark a much more serious step, and it could have broader effects, especially on global oil markets.
Venezuela produces about 1 million barrels of oil each day. That’s roughly one percent of the world’s supply. But the type of oil Venezuela produces is especially important. It’s called heavy sour crude, which is used by refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast. If that specific type of oil becomes less available, those refineries could face difficulties, which could raise the cost of making gasoline.
Kevin Book, an energy expert with ClearView Energy Partners, says a full disruption of Venezuelan oil could lead to gas prices in the U.S. rising by 5 to 18 cents per gallon. And if Venezuela responds by attacking oil facilities in nearby Guyana—a U.S. ally—the damage could spread across the region, pushing prices even higher.
Book also pointed out that it’s not just about the oil itself. If military strikes affect Venezuela’s ports, power systems, or other support industries, it could be harder to get any oil out of the country and into the global market. That kind of disruption could send ripple effects through the energy system worldwide.
Despite these risks, the Trump administration has suggested that peace deals in other parts of the world—like between Ukraine and Russia—could help bring energy prices down. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently said that positive developments in Venezuela could also help lower gas and oil prices. He noted that under President Trump, gas prices have already dropped significantly. In fact, AAA reported that average gas prices in the U.S. fell below $3 a gallon on December 1 for the first time in four years.
Still, the possibility of land strikes in Venezuela has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. They are concerned about the legality of such actions and whether Congress should be more involved in approving military operations.
As of now, the White House has not said whether it is aiming for regime change in Venezuela. But the growing pressure from the Trump administration—through sanctions, military strikes at sea, and the recent tanker seizure—suggests that a larger strategy may be unfolding.
The situation is complex. On one hand, the Trump administration argues that these actions are necessary to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. On the other, there are clear economic and political risks, especially if military conflict disrupts oil markets or leads to wider instability in the region.
For Americans, the most direct impact could be at the gas pump. If oil supplies from Venezuela are cut off, even briefly, prices could rise. But if the administration’s efforts lead to political change or peace in the region, prices could fall even further.
The coming weeks may show just how far the U.S. is willing to go in Venezuela—and what that might mean for American wallets and foreign policy alike.
