Two U.S. Navy warships collided off the coast of South America, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, in an incident that has drawn attention amid broader maritime tensions in the region.
Details regarding the cause of the collision, the extent of the damage, or whether any injuries were sustained have not yet been officially disclosed. U.S. authorities have so far issued no comprehensive statement on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a separate development, the U.S. Coast Guard released video footage showing the pursuit and boarding of the tanker Marinera, which was initially reported to be flying a Russian flag.
Russia’s Ministry of Transport, however, said the vessel was detained by U.S. authorities in international waters, describing the move as a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Russian ministry stated that the tanker is leased by a private trader and is registered under the flag of Guyana, a South American country. The 28-member crew reportedly includes 20 Ukrainian nationals, six Georgian citizens — including the captain — and two Russian nationals.
According to Moscow, a U.S. Coast Guard vessel instructed the tanker, which was operating near the Venezuelan coast at the time, to proceed to a U.S.-controlled port. The request was made after U.S. authorities said they had not received confirmation from Guyanese officials verifying the vessel’s right to fly its flag.
The tanker allegedly refused to comply with the order and instead altered its course, heading into the Atlantic Ocean.
The reported collision and the dispute over the tanker come against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and increased naval activity in waters off South America. Further statements from U.S., Russian, and regional authorities are expected.
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