A Russian oil tanker, sanctioned by both the United Kingdom and the European Union, abruptly halted its voyage to Venezuela when a U.S. military vessel intercepted its path in the Caribbean Sea.
The tanker, identified as the Seahorse, was carrying naphtha, a crucial diluent needed for Venezuela's oil industry to process and export its heavy crude oil.
According to maritime tracking data reported by Bloomberg, this incident occurred on November 13, when the Seahorse was en route to the Venezuelan coast, and the U.S. destroyer USS Stockdale positioned itself in the tanker's path.
The tanker made a U-turn and headed toward Cuba. It subsequently attempted to approach Venezuela two more times, only to retreat again, remaining adrift in the Caribbean with no clear destination.
Eventually, the vessel returned to the port of Matanzas, where it had previously docked, before setting sail once more with an unknown destination.
Sanctions, Shortages, and Russia's Role
The Seahorse is among four Russian ships supplying naphtha to Venezuela. This diluent is essential for blending with Venezuela's heavy and sulfurous crude, which is otherwise untransportable and unexportable.
Despite having the world's largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela is grappling with a severe fuel crisis and gasoline shortages, forcing Caracas to seek aid from powerful allies like Iran and Russia.
During the Biden administration, U.S. oil giant Chevron made limited naphtha shipments under special licenses, but these ended when Donald Trump assumed the presidency and enforced a "maximum pressure" policy against Nicolás Maduro.
Consequently, Venezuela's reliance on Russia has grown significantly. The Seahorse reportedly operates as part of the so-called "shadow fleet"—vessels contracted by Russia to operate covertly and circumvent Western sanctions imposed since the invasion of Ukraine.
Military Maneuvers and International Pressure
The USS Stockdale arrived in the Caribbean in late September, accompanied by over a dozen military ships as part of an anti-narcotics deployment announced by the U.S. government.
While the Pentagon claims the official objective is to combat drug trafficking and block hydrocarbon deliveries in the region, the deployment raises questions about whether Washington seeks to curtail Moscow's energy assistance to Caracas with the ultimate aim of achieving political change in Venezuela.
Official Silence and Rising Caribbean Tensions
None of the governments involved have officially commented on the maritime blockade incident.
For now, the immediate turnabout of the Russian tanker indicates that the presence of the American destroyer was sufficient to halt the shipment.
With the tanker now immobilized and gasoline shortages worsening, the energy dispute adds to the military buildup in the region, heightening geopolitical tensions around Venezuela and its allies.
The lingering question is whether the Seahorse blockade is an isolated incident or the beginning of an escalation aimed at cutting off Russian supplies to the South American nation.
Impact of U.S. Actions on Venezuela's Oil Industry
Why was the Seahorse tanker intercepted by a U.S. warship?
The Seahorse tanker was intercepted because it was carrying naphtha to Venezuela, an action perceived to undermine U.S. sanctions and efforts to pressure the Venezuelan government.
What is the significance of naphtha for Venezuela's oil industry?
Naphtha is a critical diluent for mixing with Venezuela's heavy crude oil, enabling it to be transported and exported. Without it, Venezuela's oil industry faces significant operational challenges.
How has the U.S. policy affected Venezuela's reliance on Russia?
U.S. sanctions and the cessation of naphtha shipments from Chevron under Trump's administration have increased Venezuela's dependence on Russia for essential oil industry supplies.