Escalating global tensions are causing concern as reports indicate that Russia has dispatched a submarine and additional naval vessels to escort an oil tanker near the coast of Venezuela, as per the Wall Street Journal.
The oil vessel, previously known as Bella 1 but now renamed Marinera, has been evading a US blockade of sanctioned tankers around Venezuela for over two weeks, according to the Express. It is believed to be part of the “shadow fleet,” a group of ships engaged in illegal oil transportation, as reported by the Sun.
As part of a broader crackdown on illicit oil trade worldwide, the US Coast Guard pursued the vessel into the Atlantic, targeting black-market petroleum, including that sold by Russia, as detailed by the WSJ.
President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that Venezuela would be transferring between 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. The oil will be sold at market value, with proceeds overseen by Trump to benefit both the people of Venezuela and the US, as stated in the post.
In response to these developments, the White House is arranging a meeting with major oil companies, including Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, to discuss Venezuela. This action follows the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by a US military unit, raising concerns about potential conflicts.
Maduro, who was previously accused of drug and terrorism-related charges in a New York Southern District court in 2020, has faced increased scrutiny in recent events.