Concerns over growing global tensions have risen after reports that Russia has deployed a submarine and other naval vessels to escort an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The empty and aging oil tanker, formerly known as the Bella 1, has been trying to evade a US blocade of sanctioned tankers near the South American country for over two weeks.
The tanker, rebranded as the Marinera, is accused of being part of the “shadow fleet”, a group of boats that illegally ship oil, The Sun reported.
The vessel failed to dock and load oil in Venezuela.
The US Coast Guard’s pursuit of the ship into the Atlantic is part of a crack down on the global illicit oil trade, including black-market oil sold by Russia, the WSJ reported.
US President Donald Trump claimed in a post on his social media site Truth Social on Tuesday, January 6, that Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to his country.
“I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America,” the post read.
He said he the oil will be sold at its market price. He added that the money will be under his control “to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!”
The White House is arranging to meet with oil company executives regarding Venezuela on Friday, according to one source, who requested anonymity.
The representatives of Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips are expected to attend the Oval Office meeting.
The development comes days after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, 63, and his wife Cilla Flores, 69, were captured by an elite squadron of the US military in an overnight raid on Saturday, January 3, feulling concerns over the possibility conflicts.
The Venezuelan leader was indicted on drug and terrorism charges at a court in the Southern District of New York in 2020.
