Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba: Trump’s Pressure Campaign Expands
Advanced | January 22, 2026
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The Big Picture: Trump Pressure Strategy Across Three Countries
If you work in business, politics can feel far away—until it suddenly affects energy prices, supply chains, and global risk. This week’s story is about a widening Trump pressure strategy aimed at Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba, and why it’s changing conversations in Washington and beyond.
A Gateway Pundit analysis argues that these three countries are entering a new phase of instability and pressure, with Venezuela already experiencing a dramatic leadership shock and Iran and Cuba facing rising stress (Gateway Pundit). Whether you agree with that framing or not, Reuters reporting shows a clear pattern: U.S. policy has moved fast, and the regional ripple effects are real.
Venezuela: After Maduro’s Capture, Oversight Questions Grow
Reuters reports that after a U.S. operation that captured Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro in early January, President Trump suggested the United States could oversee Venezuela and control its oil revenue for years (Reuters). The same Reuters report notes the U.S. Senate voted 52–47 to advance a resolution that would limit further military action in Venezuela without congressional approval—hinting at political pushback even inside Washington.
Reuters also reports Venezuelan officials discussed releases of political prisoners, and a local rights group (Foro Penal) estimated 863 political prisoners in the country (Reuters). For businesses, the key question becomes: If the U.S. is involved long-term, how stable is the “next chapter,” and how will oil and investment rules change?
Cuba: Energy Pressure Tightens as Venezuelan Oil Flows Drop
Cuba is heavily tied to Venezuelan oil. Reuters reports that Cuba has not received Venezuelan crude or fuel for about a month, and that in 2025 Venezuela supplied about 26,500 barrels per day—roughly one-third of Cuba’s daily needs (Reuters). Reuters also describes worsening blackouts and shortages, and quotes Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel pushing back against U.S. pressure.
In other words: when Venezuela stumbles, Cuba can feel the shock quickly—especially through fuel, electricity, and logistics. That’s why the Trump pressure strategy matters beyond headlines: it can squeeze the energy lifelines that keep an economy running.
Iran: Sanctions, Protests, and High-Stakes Options
On Iran, Reuters reports the U.S. imposed sanctions on five Iranian officials and a prison, and also targeted 18 people accused of involvement in “shadow banking” networks tied to Iranian petroleum and petrochemical sales (Reuters). The report also mentions ongoing protests and claims of large casualty numbers from a rights group.
In a separate Reuters story, Trump said Iran had called to negotiate about its disputed nuclear program, while U.S. officials discussed options that could include cyber tools, widened sanctions, or even military strikes—moves that raise the risk level for the whole region (Reuters).
Why This Matters: Risk, Energy, and “What Happens Next?”
This isn’t just about politics—it’s about how fast the world can change when major powers apply pressure at scale. For business leaders, the practical takeaways are simple:
- Energy markets can shift when supply routes get disrupted.
- Sanctions can reshape trade, banking, and corporate compliance.
- Political transitions create opportunities—but also uncertainty.
If you want a neutral way to summarize it: the U.S. is testing how much it can reshape outcomes through pressure, and the world is watching how each country responds.
Vocabulary
- Pressure campaign (noun) – coordinated actions meant to force change.
Example: The pressure campaign included sanctions and public warnings. - Oversight (noun) – supervision or control.
Example: Lawmakers debated U.S. oversight of Venezuela’s transition. - Sanctions (noun) – penalties used to influence a country’s behavior.
Example: New sanctions targeted officials and financial networks. - Ripple effect (noun) – indirect impacts that spread outward.
Example: Oil disruptions created a ripple effect across the region. - Lifeline (noun) – a critical source of support.
Example: Venezuelan oil has been a lifeline for Cuba’s energy supply. - Compliance (noun) – following rules, laws, or regulations.
Example: Global companies increased compliance checks due to sanctions. - Instability (noun) – lack of safety or predictability.
Example: Instability can delay investment decisions. - Leverage (noun) – advantage used to influence outcomes.
Example: Sanctions give governments leverage in negotiations. - Transition (noun) – a change from one system or leader to another.
Example: A transition period often brings uncertainty. - Escalation (noun) – a situation becoming more intense.
Example: Officials worried about escalation if talks failed.
Discussion Questions (About the Article)
- What is the main idea behind the U.S. approach described in this story?
- What key facts did Reuters report about U.S. oversight and debate over Venezuela?
- How does reduced Venezuelan oil affect Cuba’s day-to-day life?
- What kinds of pressure did the U.S. apply to Iran, according to Reuters?
- Why might businesses care about these developments even if they feel “political”?
Discussion Questions (About the Topic)
- Do sanctions usually change government behavior, or do they mainly hurt ordinary people?
- How should countries balance national interests with the risk of escalation?
- What should companies do to reduce risk when geopolitical tension rises?
- What is a “stable transition,” and what makes it hard to achieve?
- How can the news shape investor confidence—even before anything changes on the ground?
Related Idiom
“Raise the stakes” — to make a situation more serious, risky, or important.
Example: Expanding pressure across multiple countries can raise the stakes for energy and trade.
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This article was inspired by
- Gateway Pundit analysis (Jan 15, 2026)
- Reuters: U.S. oversight of Venezuela could last years (Jan 8, 2026)
- Reuters: Cuba braces as Venezuelan oil flows drop (Jan 13, 2026)
- Reuters: U.S. sanctions Iran over crackdown (Jan 15, 2026)
- Reuters: Trump weighs response to Iran crackdown (Jan 12, 2026)
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