A Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker Reversed Course on Its Way to Venezuela After Encountering a U.S. Destroyer in the Caribbean

A sanctioned Russian oil tanker reversed course while en route to Venezuela after encountering a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Caribbean, according to vessel-tracking data reviewed by Bloomberg.

The Seahorse was carrying a cargo of naphtha to Venezuela on November 13 when the USS Stockdale appeared in its path near the country's coastline. The Russian vessel turned away and headed toward Cuba.

Tracking records show the Seahorse has twice attempted to approach Venezuelan waters since then but retreated both times, remaining stationary in the Caribbean, as Bloomberg reports. The reasons for the U.S. warship's maneuver are unclear, and U.S. Southern Command declined to comment on its movements.

The USS Stockdale arrived in the region in late September alongside roughly a dozen other U.S. vessels as part of President Donald Trump's expanded anti-narcotics operations. The Seahorse is under U.K. and EU sanctions and is one of several Russian tankers that supply naphtha to Venezuela, which relies on the additive to dilute its heavy crude.

The tanker had previously delivered a shipment in late October, then sailed to Cuba before beginning its return trip.

The incident comes amid deepening military and political coordination between Moscow and Caracas. Earlier this month, President Nicolás Maduro said Venezuela maintains "daily and permanent communication" with Russia, describing the relationship as "one of equality, respect and cooperation."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia is in contact with Venezuela and pointed to "contractual obligations" between the two governments, as U.S. military activity intensifies around the Caribbean and Pacific.

According to reporting by The Washington Post, Maduro recently asked Moscow for assistance upgrading air-defense systems, repairing fighter jets and potentially acquiring missiles. Russia's Foreign Ministry said it stands ready to respond to Venezuelan requests "in light of existing and potential threats."

Maduro has highlighted Venezuela's existing Russian-supplied arsenal, stating that the country has "more than 5,000" Igla-S surface-to-air missiles deployed nationwide, along with Russian anti-ship missiles he claims are operational.