Oil Tanker Pursued by US Coast Guard Near Venezuela Changes Name, Claims Russian Registry

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913) and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter flight crew conduct training evolutions in the Caribbean Sea, July 15, 2025. Seaman Corrie Gill/U.S. Coast GuardAn oil tanker that fled a U.S. boarding attempt near Venezuela in December is now appearing in a Russian ship registry under a new name, as it continues to evade capture.The U.S. government official first disclosed U.S. Coast Guard efforts to seize the oil tanker on Dec. 21, as the vessel approached the waters near Venezuela. At the time, a U.S. official said the suspect tanker was flying a false flag and was subject to a judicial seizure order.