Marinera ship tracker live: Putin sends navy escort as Trump ‘plans to seize’ banned Venezuelan oil tanker

Russia has reportedly sent a navy escort to join the Marinera oil tanker as it crosses the North Atlantic.

Tensions are high between Moscow and Washington after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro on Saturday. Russia, along with China, is an unconditional ally of the Venezuelan government.

Previously known as the Bella 1, the Marinera is one of a number of Venezuelan “shadow fleet” tankers operating against US and international sanctions.

It hastily painted on a Russian flag in an apparent bid for protection from Moscow following Mr Maduro’s capture on drugs charges.

Russian officials said the vessel is facing “increased and clearly disproportionate attention by the US and Nato military”.