Russia Tightens Its Grip in the Western Hemisphere — And Trump’s Venezuela Oil Plan Is the Doorway

🇷🇺 Russia’s Shadow Fleet Is Surging—And It’s a Direct Challenge to U.S. Power Something massive is unfolding beneath the surface of global headlines. Russia is rapidly expanding a covert maritime operation, using oil tankers to move sanctioned crude from Venezuela—and doing it right under our nose. In December alone, seventeen oil tankers switched their registration to the Russian flag, joining what insiders are now calling the Kremlin’s shadow fleet. Since June, over forty vessels have been added to this fleet, many of them previously operating under fraudulent or third-party flags to dodge international enforcement. Now, thanks to increased U.S. crackdowns on Venezuelan oil shipments, these ships are seeking protection under Moscow’s umbrella. They are flipping flags mid-voyage, and slipping past…