Russia has officially asked the U.S. to halt its pursuit of an oil tanker, formerly named Bella 1, which has been avoiding American Coast Guard vessels in the Atlantic Ocean. This diplomatic communication, sent late on New Year’s Eve to key U.S. agencies, concerns the vessel that has been evading authorities for around two weeks. Initially originating from Iran, it was headed to Venezuela for oil loading when it ignored Coast Guard orders in the Caribbean and fled back toward the Atlantic.
U.S. officials allege that the tanker was operating under a false flag during an initial encounter on December 20, categorizing it as a stateless vessel, thus allowing for boarding under international law. In an apparent effort to assert protection, the crew painted a Russian flag on the ship and communicated with the Coast Guard, claiming Russian authority. The vessel has since been registered under a new name, Marinera, in Russia’s official shipping registry, with Sochi as its home port.
The situation complicates ongoing negotiations about peace between Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, this development raises tensions surrounding U.S. sanctions targeting Venezuela’s oil industry. The Trump administration has already seized two tankers involved in Venezuelan oil trade earlier in December. The Russian government’s official position on the tanker remains vague, and tracking data indicates discrepancies in its registration status.
