Global Traders Re-Enter Venezuelan Oil Market Under U.S. Oversight

Major commodity traders are re-entering the Venezuelan crude market after years of sanctions-related absence, under an arrangement reportedly endorsed by U.S. authorities. Vitol Group and Trafigura have been authorized to market Venezuelan barrels following the capture of Nicolas Maduro and a U.S.-led restructuring of the country’s oil sales, potentially unlocking a profitable new flow of heavy crude into global markets. The change could alter trade patterns for benchmark contracts such as Oil – US Crude and Oil – Brent Crude, as incremental Venezuelan supply may help ease tightness in certain grades and affect regional spreads and refining margins.

Over the past month, prices for Oil – US Crude have advanced about 5.63%, while Oil – Brent Crude has risen roughly 6.65%, reflecting ongoing supply concerns and geopolitical risk premiums that the Venezuelan development could partially moderate if materially more barrels reach the market. On a 1-day basis, technical indicators for CM:CL currently point to a Buy signal, and CM:BZ also shows a short-term Buy reading, suggesting momentum remains to the upside despite the prospect of additional supply. Investors can explore more updates, prices, and analysis across global markets at Commodities.