Tensions rise as reports indicate that Russia has dispatched a submarine and additional naval vessels to escort an oil tanker near the coast of Venezuela, as noted by the Wall Street Journal. The vessel, formerly known as Bella 1 but now renamed Marinera, part of the illicit “shadow fleet,” has been evading US sanctions against tankers in Venezuela for over two weeks, according to the Express.
The vessel’s unsuccessful attempt to load oil in Venezuela led to a chase by the US Coast Guard into the Atlantic Ocean, as part of a broader crackdown on global illegal oil trading, including illicit petroleum transactions involving Russia, as reported by the WSJ.
In a recent announcement on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump revealed that Venezuela would be providing America with 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil. The oil is expected to be sold at market prices, with Trump overseeing the proceeds to ensure benefits for both Venezuela and the United States. The White House plans to hold a meeting with major oil companies, such as Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, regarding Venezuela later this week.
This development comes in the wake of the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores by a special US military unit in an early morning operation, raising concerns about potential conflicts. Maduro had previously faced charges related to drugs and terrorism in a New York court in 2020.