Venezuelan Maduro in South America Tests the U.S. With a with a “Plan B” Oil Tanker Strategy

Venezuela is testing President Trump’s blockade of sanctioned oil tankers by letting two crude-laden vessels motor out from the South American nation’s ports — including one with a military escort.  Neither tanker has been sanctioned by the U.S., so technically they’re not running Trump’s blockade.  Why it matters: This newest cat-and-mouse game between Trump and Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro is heightening the tension in the Caribbean. Millions of barrels of oil are at stake — a military conflict seems likelier than ever.