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
Worries over escalating global tensions have mounted following reports that Russia has dispatched a submarine and other naval craft to accompany an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The empty and deteriorating oil tanker, previously called the Bella 1, has been attempting to dodge a US blockade of sanctioned vessels near the South American nation for more than a fortnight, , reports the Express..
The tanker, now renamed the Marinera, is alleged to be part of the “shadow fleet”, a collection of vessels that unlawfully transport oil, The Sun reported.
The ship was unable to berth and take on oil in Venezuela.
The US Coast Guard’s chase of the vessel into the Atlantic forms part of a clampdown on the worldwide illegal oil trade, including black-market petroleum sold by Russia, the WSJ reported.
US President Donald Trump announced in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday, January 6, that Venezuela will be handing over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to his nation.
“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 stated the oil will be sold at its market price. He added that the funds will be under his supervision “to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!” The White House is reportedly planning a meeting with oil company executives about Venezuela this Friday, according to an anonymous source.
Executives from Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips are anticipated to be present at the Oval Office gathering.
This comes in the wake of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, 63, and his wife Cilla Flores, 69, being apprehended by an elite US military unit during a night raid on Saturday, January 3, sparking worries over potential conflicts.
Maduro was previously indicted on drug and terrorism charges by a court in the Southern District of New York in 2020.
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