Will or should US ditch oil imports from Venezuela?

[Meanwhile + 49]

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the U.S. might apply pressure on Venezuela by restricting the sale of oil from the South American country. The US market is a crucial outlet for the cash-strapped South American country. Venezuelan crude output has been falling fast since 2014, but was still around 1.7 million barrels per day in December. The country sold more than a third of its oil produce to the United States, 600,000 bpd

[李伟王芳 + 77]

From the people who do sword dances with sharia law monarchs. Sweet

[JohnAtronis + 78]

we all know that Chavez is a hero to the American leftists. Too bad those in his own country don't like him.

[Joanna + 68]

Just now, JohnAtronis said:

we all know that Chavez is a hero to the American leftists. Too bad those in his own country don't like him.

and we all love Trump

[Meanwhile + 49]

Why? How is Venezuela a threat to us - other than the fact that they sit on the largest proven oil reserve in the world?

[JohnAtronis + 78]

Venezuelan production is falling so fast due to mismanagement. Getting a head start on finding a replacement such as from Canadian Tar Sands makes sense.

[Rodent + 1,424]

The quality and quantity of their oil is dwindling all on its own. So not sure how important it is. On the other hand, why not. 

[JohnAtronis + 78]

I dont know. Playing with sanctions on Venezuelan oil is a dangerous game. It could end up driving them further into the arms of Russia, China, and any number of countries hostile to the U.S. I mean aren't Russians already here with CITGO

[Joanna + 68]

1 hour ago, Meanwhile said:

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the U.S. might apply pressure on Venezuela by restricting the sale of oil from the South American country. The US market is a crucial outlet for the cash-strapped South American country. Venezuelan crude output has been falling fast since 2014, but was still around 1.7 million barrels per day in December. The country sold more than a third of its oil produce to the United States, 600,000 bpd

and just last week Tillerson speculated that the country's military could move to oust President Nicolás Maduro.

[Joanna + 68]

My feminist dance therapist says Venezuela would thrive if the regime there is changed. She has pretty much same geopolitical knowledge as Tillerson

[Carlsbad + 19]

well, Venezuela's crude is mostly heavy, with lots of bitumen and asphaltene--exactly what the US needs for its infrastructure plans. It usually comes largely from Venezuela, and elsewhere in South America. Something to think about. 

[Rodent + 1,424]

15 minutes ago, Joanna said:

My feminist dance therapist says Venezuela would thrive if the regime there is changed. She has pretty much same geopolitical knowledge as Tillerson

ummm did you say "dance therapist?"

[Rodent + 1,424]

1 hour ago, Carlsbad said:

well, Venezuela's crude is mostly heavy, with lots of bitumen and asphaltene--exactly what the US needs for its infrastructure plans. It usually comes largely from Venezuela, and elsewhere in South America. Something to think about. 

agreed, infrastructure that was put in place well before the US shale boom. Refineries sunk money into processing heavy crude from Venezuela and its neighbors--it was cheap. But now that way of thinking may not make sense any more. Refineries ... particularly those run by Valero Energy in this case, may have to rethink their whole strategy. Venezuela, aside from the sanctions, isn't shipping  much oil anyway. Chevron was another major buyer of Venezuelan oil.