The move is an escalation of military operations and a pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s leader. But its scope and economic impact are not clear.
The United States and Trinidad say U.S. Marines installed a radar in Tobago to combat drugs — but this war materiel isn’t designed for operations based at sea or on land.
During 11 interviews with Vanity Fair over President Trump’s first year back in office, Ms. Wiles, his chief of staff, opened up about the president, the people around him and their internal fights.
Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, typically shuns publicity. She called a recent article in Vanity Fair, based on 11 interviews she gave over the past year, “a disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest President, White House staff, and Cabinet in history.”
In public, the White House says it is confronting Venezuela to curb drug trafficking. Behind the scenes, gaining access to the country’s vast oil reserves is a priority.
Oil drilling equipment in Cabimas, Venezuela. The country has about 17 percent of the world’s known oil reserves, nearly four times the amount in the United States.
In public, the White House says it is confronting Venezuela to curb drug trafficking. Behind the scenes, gaining access to the country’s vast oil reserves is a priority.
Firms with ties to Cuba are getting a larger share of Venezuelan oil exports, as the island’s security agents boost President Nicolás Maduro’s defenses.
The U.S. seizure of a vessel off Venezuela is likely to squeeze the country’s government, but do little to counter the tankers that secretively move oil from sanctioned countries.
If the Trump administration allows Nicolás Maduro to endure, it will signal that a criminal dictatorship masquerading as a state can stare down the United States and win.
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