A sanctioned Russian tanker, heading to Venezuela with a cargo of fuel, drastically changed its route after a US Navy destroyer crossed its path, according to ship tracking by Bloomberg. The incident has raised questions about possible intervention by Washington to restrict Moscow’s energy aid to Caracas.
Change of course
The Russian ship, identified as the Seahorsewas destined for Venezuela to deliver a shipment of fuel on November 13. However, at one point in its journey, the American destroyer USS Stockdale got in his way.
After the meeting, the Russian tanker made a 180-degree turn and headed towards Cuba. The American warship sailed near Venezuelan territorial waters in the direction of Puerto Rico.
Since the incident, the Seahorse has attempted to approach Venezuela on two occasions, but both times it has turned around and currently remains idle in Caribbean waters.
The movements are considered unusualbecause Russian fuel ships do not usually change course or stop on the busy trade route connecting Cuba and Venezuela.
Unclarified intentions
The intentions of the USS Stockdale in crossing the path of the Russian ship are unclear. A spokesman for the US Southern Command declined to comment on the vessel’s movements.
The US destroyer arrived in the Caribbean at the end of September, along with other warships, as part of anti-drug operations supported by President Donald Trump’s administration in the region.
Vital fuel for Venezuela
The Seahorse tanker is under sanctions by the United Kingdom and the European Union, and is one of four Russian vessels supplying naphtha to Venezuela, a country also sanctioned. This fuel is crucial, especially after Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy halted gasoline imports that Venezuela previously received from Chevron during the Biden administration.
The Seahorse had carried cargo in late October and was headed back to Venezuela after a stop in Cuba.
The White House, a Kremlin spokesman and Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the incident.
