Russia asks US to stop chasing Venezuela-linked oil tanker

Russia has formally asked the United States stop chasing an oil tanker that had been sailing for Venezuela to pick up oil, a report says.

The vessel, which has a Russian flag painted on its side, has evaded the US Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean for nearly two weeks, with Washington claiming the tanker, known as the Bella 1, is “stateless”.

The New York Times reported Friday that the formal diplomatic request was delivered late on New Year’s Eve to the State Department.

It was also sent to the White House’s Homeland Security Council, the newspaper added.

The dispute over the tanker could heighten tensions between Moscow and Washington over Venezuela, and add a new wrinkle to the US-mediated negotiations aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Last week, in a call between Venezuela’s and Russia’s foreign ministers, Moscow “reaffirmed its all-out support and solidarity with the leaders and people of Venezuela,” according to a summary of the call from Russia’s foreign ministry.

The Trump administration has intensified its pressure campaign against Venezuela under the pretext of combating illegal drugs destined for the United States.

Caracas firmly denies any connection to drug trafficking and maintains that Washington aims to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a bid to take control of the nation’s vast oil reserves, recognized as the largest in the world.

At least 107 people have lost their lives in 30 attacks since early September, with the US administration refusing to clarify the identifies of those targeted.

US cannot turn Venezuela into a colony and steal its natural resources, Maduro warns

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro warns the US cannot turn the country into a colony and steal its natural resources.

In December, US President Donald Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.

So far, the US has seized two tankers, drawing strong condemnation from Venezuela which has denounced the United States’ “theft and hijacking” of its oil.

Caracas has vowed to pursue legal avenues against Washington, including filing a complaint with the United Nations.

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