US Plans to Intercept Venezuelan Oil Tanker in Waters Where Russian Warships Are Also Present, Just Days After Maduro's Capture.
The US military has planned to intercept a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude oil that has been flagged under the Russian flag, following days of President Nicolás Maduro's capture by US special forces. According to two US officials familiar with the plans, American forces had previously pursued this vessel, known as the Marinera, in an operation similar to one conducted last month.
This latest move comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Russia over Ukraine. Russian naval assets, including a submarine, have been dispatched to escort the tanker, which is now sailing under a Russian flag despite being sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for its prior involvement in Iranian oil trading.
US officials had stated that they would prefer to seize the ship rather than sink it, citing concerns about potential civilian casualties. The seizure plan could potentially be shelved if negotiations between the US and Russia over ending the conflict in Ukraine proceed as expected.
The Marinera was previously flagged out of Panama but is now docked in Sochi, off the western coast of the Black Sea, according to the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. US authorities accuse Maduro's government of using multiple vessels to smuggle illicit substances north towards American shores.
Since September, the US has ramped up pressure on Venezuela, accusing Maduro's regime of collaborating with Iran and Hezbollah in their operations. In addition to intercepting this tanker, the US Coast Guard has also seized another vessel, The Skipper, which was flagged out of Guyana but is now sailing under a Russian flag.
This development brings the total number of ships intercepted by the US since it began its campaign against Venezuela to three.
The US military has planned to intercept a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude oil that has been flagged under the Russian flag, following days of President Nicolás Maduro's capture by US special forces. According to two US officials familiar with the plans, American forces had previously pursued this vessel, known as the Marinera, in an operation similar to one conducted last month.
This latest move comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Russia over Ukraine. Russian naval assets, including a submarine, have been dispatched to escort the tanker, which is now sailing under a Russian flag despite being sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for its prior involvement in Iranian oil trading.
US officials had stated that they would prefer to seize the ship rather than sink it, citing concerns about potential civilian casualties. The seizure plan could potentially be shelved if negotiations between the US and Russia over ending the conflict in Ukraine proceed as expected.
The Marinera was previously flagged out of Panama but is now docked in Sochi, off the western coast of the Black Sea, according to the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. US authorities accuse Maduro's government of using multiple vessels to smuggle illicit substances north towards American shores.
Since September, the US has ramped up pressure on Venezuela, accusing Maduro's regime of collaborating with Iran and Hezbollah in their operations. In addition to intercepting this tanker, the US Coast Guard has also seized another vessel, The Skipper, which was flagged out of Guyana but is now sailing under a Russian flag.
This development brings the total number of ships intercepted by the US since it began its campaign against Venezuela to three.
american and russian forces are basically at each other's throats in venezuelan waters, like what's next? and can we talk about how much red tape there is with all these ships being flagged under different countries? marinera's like a puzzle piece that just won't fit anywhere 
so yeah i'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole situation
OMG, this is getting crazy! So they're gonna intercept the tanker and Russia is all like "nah, we got this" with their warships 
. I don't know how this is gonna play out, but it's definitely not good for tensions between the US and Russia right now 
. The fact that it's just days after Maduro's capture makes me wonder if they're trying to make a statement or something 
. And what about all these sanctions? 
Is Venezuela just gonna sit there and let America take their oil? 
I'm not sure what's more concerning, the possibility of civilian casualties or the fact that the US is basically playing tug-of-war with Russia over this tanker 
. Can we just have a peaceful resolution to all these conflicts already?! 
but seriously, is this just a case of great power politics or are there actual concerns about smuggling and illicit substances? either way, i'm keeping an eye on this situation 
. And what's up with that tanker being flagged under Russia, but still having to deal with US sanctions? It just feels like everyone's trying to muscle in on each other's turf 
.