U.S.-Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker Makes U-Turn In Confrontation With U.S. Warship (Worthy News Focus)

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

WASHINGTON/CARACAS/MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – A Russian oil tanker under U.S. sanctions made a dramatic U-turn on its way to Venezuela after a U.S. warship appeared in its path near the country’s coast, Worthy News learned early Friday.

Bloomberg News, the business news service, reported that ship-tracking data identified the tanker as the Seahorse, showing it reversed course after the U.S. destroyer USS Stockdale moved into its projected route.

Bloomberg News said the tanker’s movements raised fresh questions about whether Washington could intervene more directly to disrupt Moscow’s energy support to Caracas.

The broader U.S. naval deployment — officially described as part of anti-narcotics operations — has placed American warships near Venezuela’s coast, a posture seen by critics as increasing pressure on longtime authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro, who secured another term after a contested election last year.

The Seahorse was traveling toward Venezuela to deliver fuel on November 13 when the Stockdale’s movement coincided with the tanker abruptly veering toward Cuba, according to sources familiar with the situation.

TANKER MAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS

Bloomberg News added that the Seahorse made two further attempts to approach Venezuela but turned back both times, leaving the vessel idling in the Caribbean.

A spokesperson for U.S. Southern Command declined to comment on the Stockdale’s movements or intentions. The destroyer arrived in the Caribbean in late September alongside other U.S. warships supporting President Donald J. Trump’s anti-narcotics operations in the region.

The confrontation comes as the United States and its European allies intensify efforts to choke off Russian energy revenues, which they argue help sustain Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

The tanker’s reversal underscored growing pressure on Russia. Still, it remained unclear how the nuclear-armed nation might react if it views the U.S. intervention as an act of war against its strategic interests.

Even Indian refiners are reportedly rushing to find replacement supplies, rather than booking oil cargoes from the Middle East, as Asian buyers race against time to secure deliveries.

Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Indian companies have purchased discounted Russian crude, taking advantage of reduced prices after European Union restrictions narrowed global demand.

TRUMP TARIFFS ADD PRESSURE TO INDIA

In August, U.S. President Donald J. Trump stunned India — the world’s most populous nation of nearly 1.5 billion people — by imposing a special tariff to punish it for purchasing Russian oil.

He effectively doubled the U.S. import duty on Indian goods to 50 percent, dealing a heavy blow to multiple industries.

The U.S. Treasury said it would start penalizing companies that conducted business with Russia’s two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil.

While the restrictions were not aimed directly at India, Russian seaborne crude had come to account for as much as 40 percent of the country’s total supply.

Yet, India was not granted an exemption to continue buying Russian oil — a waiver that was extended to Hungary this month.

That decision added to concerns in Moscow. As Bloomberg News noted, “Russia is eager to keep oil flowing, with Moscow making loading a priority and keeping seaborne shipments sizable, but not all of these barrels will necessarily find a home, even in Asia’s largest markets.”

Latest Worthy News