Oil Tanker Under US Pursuit Paints Russian Flag to Avoid Seizure

Oil Tanker Pursuit and Russian Flag

• 🚢 An oil tanker, the Bella 1, has been under pursuit by the U.S. Coast Guard for nearly two weeks off the coast of Venezuela.
• 🚩 In an attempt to gain protection from Moscow, the crew reportedly painted a Russian flag on the side of the vessel.
• ⚖️ The U.S. Coast Guard has the authority to forcibly board the vessel if given approval from the White House.

Sanctions and International Law

• 🚫 The pursuit is related to the U.S. policy of seizing oil tankers suspected of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
• 💰 This policy, initiated under President Trump, aims to choke off Venezuela's primary source of income.
• 📜 International law dictates that a vessel cannot change its flag mid-voyage without also changing its registration, a fact that complicates the U.S. pursuit but does not negate the legal standing.
• ⚠️ The White House stated the vessel was sanctioned under a judicial seizure order and was flying a false flag.