Russia Sends Submarine to Escort Tanker Targeted by US off Venezuela
Russia has deployed a submarine along with several naval vessels to escort an oil tanker that the United States previously attempted to seize near Venezuelan waters, raising fresh concerns over growing military tensions at sea. The move follows Washington’s efforts to enforce sanctions on vessels accused of transporting oil linked to Venezuela and Iran.
The tanker, formerly known as Bella 1, is an aging vessel that US authorities sought to board last month in the Caribbean under a legal warrant tied to sanctions violations. As American forces moved in, the ship abruptly changed course, later re-registering under the Russian flag and adopting the name Marinera. The vessel is currently not carrying oil, but has a history of transporting sanctioned crude.
Russian naval intervention marks a significant escalation. Officials in Moscow say the tanker is now sailing under Russian protection in international waters and in compliance with maritime law. The Kremlin has accused the United States of applying excessive pressure and warned that interference with Russian-flagged vessels could lead to serious diplomatic consequences.
US officials maintain that their actions are part of a broader campaign to stop illicit oil shipments and enforce sanctions. American military and coast guard units continue to monitor the ship’s movement as it travels through the North Atlantic, though difficult weather conditions and distance from shore bases have limited immediate action.
The standoff has sparked international concern over the precedent such confrontations could set. Legal experts note that while ships are protected by the flag they fly, enforcement actions are often based on ownership records and sanctions history rather than name or registry alone — creating a grey zone that increases the risk of confrontation between major powers.
The incident comes at a time of already heightened global tensions following recent US operations in Venezuela and renewed rivalry between Washington and Moscow. Analysts warn that any miscalculation at sea could rapidly escalate into a wider diplomatic or military crisis, underscoring the fragile balance of power in international waters.
