Russia demands U.S. end pursuit of Venezuelan-bound oil tanker

The New York Times reported the information.

Russia delivered a diplomatic protest to the State Department on New Year's Eve, demanding that American forces stop chasing the oil tanker Bella 1, according to sources familiar with the matter. The message was also transmitted to the White House's Homeland Security Council.

The dispute centers on a vessel that departed from Iran and was heading to Venezuela to load oil when the U.S. Coast Guard attempted to intercept and board it in the Caribbean Sea. American authorities maintain the ship was operating without a legitimate national flag, classifying it as a stateless vessel subject to seizure under international law. Officials say they possess a valid warrant for the tanker's seizure.

However, the crew refused to comply and turned back toward the Atlantic. In subsequent days, the ship's crew painted a Russian flag on its hull and radioed the Coast Guard claiming to operate under Russian authority. The vessel recently surfaced in Russia's official ship registry under the new name Marinera, with Sochi listed as its home port.

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously about the ongoing enforcement action, said the Trump administration continues to regard the tanker as stateless because it was flying a false flag during the initial Coast Guard approach. The White House declined official comment, while the State Department and Russian Embassy did not respond to inquiries.

The confrontation adds complexity to President Trump's efforts to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier this week, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago, where both leaders expressed hope for ending the war despite limited progress on critical issues including security guarantees and territorial arrangements.

The tanker incident stems from Trump's aggressive stance against the Venezuelan government of Nicolás Maduro. The administration has implemented a quasi-blockade targeting vessels transporting Venezuelan oil, primarily to China, which represents a crucial lifeline for the country's struggling economy. U.S. forces have already seized two other tankers in the Caribbean, with officials indicating plans for additional interdictions.

David Tannenbaum, a former Treasury Department sanctions compliance officer, previously noted it remains uncertain whether Russia's rapid flag registration of the vessel would hold up under international law scrutiny.

The situation has prompted Maduro to order Venezuelan naval escorts for departing oil tankers, with consideration being given to placing troops aboard the vessels—a move that could significantly increase the risk of armed confrontation with American forces in international waters.