Russia has sent ships to escort the tanker: the US is considering the possibility of boarding.

According to ТСН: Russia has sent its military ships to escort an oil tanker currently under US control in the North Atlantic. This vessel, which is currently empty, was previously used to transport Venezuelan oil and is situated between Scotland and Iceland.

A month ago, US President Donald Trump announced a blockade on oil tankers that are subject to sanctions going to or coming from Venezuela. Before the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, Trump repeatedly accused the Venezuelan leadership of using vessels to transport drugs to the US.

In December, the US Coast Guard attempted to capture the tanker Bella 1 in the Caribbean Sea, believing it was heading to Venezuela. The American authorities had a warrant for its seizure due to suspicions of violating sanctions and transporting Iranian oil. After that, the vessel changed course, renamed itself to Marinera, and changed its flag from Guyanese to Russian.

The tanker’s approach to Europe coincided with the arrival of about ten US military transport aircraft and helicopters in the region. Russia stated that it was “watching the situation around the vessel with concern.”

Two American officials reported that the US is considering the possibility of seizing the vessel, emphasizing that they “would prefer to capture it rather than sink it.” The US Southern Command confirmed its readiness to support state structures in countering sanctioned vessels.

“Our naval forces are vigilant, mobile, and ready to track vessels of interest. When the order comes, we will be there.”

It is estimated that in the evening, Marinera was in the North Atlantic approximately 2000 km from continental Europe. Complicated weather conditions and distance may complicate the boarding operation. Before any actions from British territory, the US is expected to notify London. The British Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the military activity of other countries.

An analyst in risk and compliance at Kpler, Dimitris Ampatzidis, noted that the change of the ship's name and flag is unlikely to affect US actions. According to him, the American side focuses more on the IMO number, ownership structure, and sanction history rather than on the formal attributes of the vessel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia stated that the tanker is in international waters under the Russian flag and in accordance with international maritime law. They also noted that the attention from US and NATO military forces is “unwarranted” and does not correspond to the “peaceful status” of the vessel.

Tensions around the tanker increased after the US operation to capture Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, during which American forces struck targets related to illegal arms and drug trafficking.

It should be reminded that Democratic Senator Chris Coons urged US President Donald Trump to intercept tankers of the “shadow fleet” of the Russian Federation.

It is now important to monitor the further developments, as the situation around the Marinera tanker may have serious consequences for international relations and new escalations in tensions in the region. The American strategy regarding ships linked to Venezuela and Iran confirms Washington's growing attention to the situation in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea.