Tensions continue to build amidst a large Russian naval operation. This arrives in answer to a vessel that has been avoiding a United States blockade focused on oil tankers running from sanctions close to Venezuela. The ship, literally known as one of the “shadow fleet,” hauls oil for Russia, Iran and Venezuela. It started its trip in Iran and is currently on a voyage to Venezuela to collect oil. Things have taken an unfortunate turn in the last two weeks. Meanwhile, throughout this period the vessel expertly threaded the needle through waters heavily patrolled and monitored by US military forces.
On December 15, the ship unexpectedly withdrew off the Gulf. It then cut loose and turned back toward Europe, as US pressure on Venezuela grew ever harsher. To make this blockade even more pernicious, recent developments have added a significant financial disincentive. With the potential capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro now raising greater American ire at oil shipments from the country.
As of now, July 2024, the US Treasury Department has placed sanctions on this ship. They criticize it for carrying pornographic contraband to a company tied to Hezbollah, the Iranian-run Lebanese militia. US military’s Southern Command stands ready to assist civil authorities. They will assist to act against sanctioned vessels operating in the region. They reiterated that naval forces in the region are continuously observing vessels of concern.
Its crew managed to successfully resist a US attempted boarding of the ship while it was operating near Venezuelan territorial waters. After this near-miss, they took a dramatic step to change their direction away from the rut they had carved into the North Atlantic Ocean. US P-8 surveillance aircraft have been tracking the ship across the Atlantic. Their current area of operations is out of RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, based on flight tracking data.
In a reaction to these news and no doubt reflecting heightened alarm, Russia’s foreign ministry issued a statement saying that it is “carefully watching” developments. This new decree serves as a clear indication of Russia’s resolve to defend both Russian and ally interests in an ever-more adverse environment. The New York Times recently found registry information revealing that at least three other oil tankers, formerly taking Venezuelan oil to market, have since changed flags, this time to the Russian standard.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts, US President Joe Biden expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Russia’s continued military actions. The deteriorating state of affairs between these states affects much more than their bilateral ties. They continue to rattle global oil markets and pose a grave threat to regional stability.