Moscow: In a dramatic escalation of maritime tensions, Russia has vehemently condemned the United States for what it terms ‘piracy at sea’ following the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, in the Atlantic Ocean.
The vessel, laden with sanctioned Venezuelan crude, was intercepted by US forces in a high-stakes operation that has reignited Cold War-era frictions between the two powers.
US officials revealed that the Coast Guard, backed by British Royal Air Force surveillance, targeted two Venezuelan-linked tankers — Bela-1 and Sophia — amid efforts to enforce sanctions. Russian submarines and warships loomed nearby, adding to the volatile situation.
Russia’s transport ministry reported that US Navy personnel lost contact with the Marinera after they boarded it.
Fuming over the incident, the Russian foreign ministry demanded immediate details on the Russian crew’s whereabouts, insisting on humane treatment and compliance with international norms. Citing the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, officials argued that no state holds authority to forcibly board another’s registered vessel.
Andrei Klishas, a senator close to President Vladimir Putin, branded the act as ‘outright sea dacoity’, evoking images of high-seas robbery.
On the American side, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hailed the operation as a crackdown on ‘shadow fleet’ tankers flouting the rules. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller asserted via social media that energy transport must align with US national security. Amid whispers of selective sanction relief under President Donald Trump, the move could ease Venezuelan oil flows but risks further straining ties with Moscow.
This incident underscores fragile global energy dynamics, where geopolitical rivalries intersect with resource control, potentially impacting oil markets and diplomatic channels. As both nations trade barbs, the world watches for Putin’s next move.