The U.S. is leveraging oil sanctions as a critical economic tool. Here's the reality: Venezuela's oil output generates virtually zero revenue right now. Why? They lack the logistical capacity to move crude globally—not due to technical limitations, but because strict sanctions create an enforcement barrier. The leverage here is real and intentional, being deployed strategically rather than punitively. This kind of resource constraint at the state level ripples through global commodity markets, influencing everything from inflation expectations to investor risk appetite in volatile markets. Understanding these macro dynamics helps traders contextualize why energy prices fluctuate and how geopolitical pressure translates into market volatility.