INTERNACIONAL
Venezuelan ‘dark fleet’ tanker evades US Coast Guard as Russia sends submarine to escort vessel: reports
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A Venezuela-linked oil tanker operating in the so-called «dark fleet» painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia in an apparent bid to evade the U.S. Coast Guard, according to reports.
The vessel has since been spotted off Ireland, with the U.S., U.K., France and Ireland reportedly conducting aerial surveillance after it escaped U.S. interception in December, The Times reported.
Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly since deployed a submarine and naval assets to escort the tanker to its own waters, the Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday.
Russia’s state-controlled foreign media outlet RT shared a video filmed from the tanker’s deck, allegedly showing a U.S. Coast Guard cutter following the vessel.
The tanker, Bella 1, had renamed itself Marinera and registered under the Russian flag after fleeing the region, according to an intelligence report from AI maritime analytics firm Windward.
TREASURY TARGETS OIL TRADERS, TANKERS ACCUSED OF HELPING MADURO EVADE U.S. SANCTIONS
The vessel tanker Bella 1 at Singapore Strait, after U.S. officials say the U.S. Coast Guard pursued an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela. (Hakon Rimmereid/via Reuters)
«Runaway Venezuela-trading tanker Bella 1 painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia mid-voyage last week to avoid capture by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean,» Windward said.
Multiple reports said Tuesday the vessel is now under U.S. military surveillance roughly 230 miles off the Irish coast.
According to reports, U.S. P-8 surveillance aircraft have tracked the tanker off Ireland only in recent days.
CBS News reported that U.S. forces have pursued the vessel since December, as Washington intensified enforcement against Venezuelan oil shipments.
Intelligence sources said Venezuela had considered placing military personnel aboard oil tankers disguised as civilians to help vessels evade U.S. blockades and that U.S. forces are likely preparing to intercept the tanker.
The pursuit of the vessel follows strikes in Venezuela under the Trump administration and the Jan. 3 capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM TRUMP’S PUSH TO PUT US OIL FIRMS BACK IN VENEZUELA
Windward system showed the Marinera/Bella 1 was positioned off the coast of Ireland Jan. 6. (Windward AI)
Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and said he was a «prisoner of war.»
On Jan. 1, Russia had formally asked the U.S. to stop its pursuit of the vessel, according to Reuters.
Citing two people familiar with the matter, Reuters reported that Moscow made the diplomatic request as U.S. forces continued tracking the vessel for nearly two weeks in the Atlantic.
The request came as Trump simultaneously sought to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Reuters added.
TRUMP’S VENEZUELA STRIKE SPARKS CONSTITUTIONAL CLASH AS MADURO IS HAULED INTO US
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, center, is seen in handcuffs escorted by federal agents as they make their way into an armored car en route to a federal courthouse in Manhattan, N.Y., Monday. (XNY/Star Max/GC Images via Getty Images)
TankerTrackers.com alleges the vessel previously transported millions of barrels of Iranian and Venezuelan crude to China between 2021 and 2025.
«Bella 1, now known as Marinera, is not alone,» Windward said.
The tanker has been under U.S. Treasury sanctions since June 2024, accused of transporting illicit oil cargoes linked to a Hezbollah-connected company.
«The very large crude carrier is joining a growing fleet of Western-sanctioned tankers seeking protection under Russia’s national flag,» the firm added.
«Over the past six months, a dozen or more of the darkest tankers operating globally have switched from open registries to Russia. This trend accelerated in December as the flag state emerged as a critical shield against drone strikes and vessel seizures.»
VENEZUELA ORDERS NATIONWIDE MANHUNT FOR SUPPORTERS AFTER MADURO’S ARREST BY US FORCES
The vessel allegedly transported millions of barrels of Iranian and Venezuelan crude to China between 2021 and 2025. (Planet Labs PBC/Handout via Reuters )
Windward also identified two additional Western-sanctioned tankers currently in Venezuelan waters that have reflagged to Russia in recent days to prevent U.S. naval interception.
The tanker Hyperion departed Venezuela on Jan. 1 flying the Russian flag, while Premier signaled via AIS that it changed its flag from Gambia to Russia on Dec. 22.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«Premier remains at the José Terminal in Venezuela,» Windward said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard and the White House for comment.
venezuelan political crisis,coast guard,caribbean region,homeland security,world,russia,military
INTERNACIONAL
WATCH: Walz, Ellison, Omar refuse to answer when pressed on fraud after contentious fraud hearing
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Following the highly anticipated House Oversight Committee hearing on fraud Wednesday, Fox News Digital pressed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison about their roles in the scandal but received no response from the embattled officials.
«Why wasn’t the fraud caught sooner, governor?» Walz was asked after the hearing. «Almost $10 billion — why wasn’t it caught sooner?»
Walz declined to answer as he was escorted down a hallway by staff but stopped briefly to speak with another individual. During a second encounter, Walz again declined to answer the question but acknowledged a security guard as he walked down the hallway.
«Mr. Attorney General, can you tell us why the fraud wasn’t caught sooner?» Ellison was asked after his testimony.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, AG Keith Ellison, and Rep. Ilhan Omar avoided questions from Fox News Digital on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images )
Ellison did not respond and continued walking up a staircase.
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, who did not testify Wednesday but has faced criticism for her ties to the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal in the state, did not respond after the hearing when Fox News Digital began asking her questions.
Walz and Ellison faced a barrage of tough questions from Republicans during the hearing on the massive fraud scandal in the state, with most focused on one key theme: What did they know and when did they know it?
Walz and Ellison were asked multiple times for specifics about when they were first made aware of the fraud and faced sharp rebukes from Republican members, including Rep. Virginia Foxx.
WALZ MOCKED ONLINE AFTER GOP LAWMAKER FLOATS THEORY IN HEATED HEARING ABOUT WHY KAMALA HARRIS CHOSE HIM AS VP
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz testifies during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in the U.S. Capitol Building on March 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
«You did not do your job, you did not do your job,» Foxx told Walz. «You did not protect taxpayer dollars. You allowed massive fraud. You and Mr. Ellison allowed massive fraud to go on in the state of Minnesota. It is unfortunate, as somebody said, that you can’t be held personally responsible at this stage in the game.»
An exchange between GOP Rep. Jim Jordan and Walz sparked immediate pushback from conservatives on social media.
One of the most contentious exchanges came during questioning from GOP Rep. Nancy Mace when she pressed Walz for specific numbers on how many children are in his state, the massive increase in autism care spending and why that occurred, without getting specific figures from Walz.
«Ok, so your excuse before — that you didn’t know what the 2017 autism numbers were — because you were not governor, and today you can’t answer the numbers about 2024 as governor, and you still said you prepared for this hearing today. It’s unbelievable.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks to reporters after announcing he would not seek reelection at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S., January 5, 2026. (Reuters/Tim Evans)
GOP Rep. Clay Higgins confronted Ellison in another heated moment, asking him to say he was «leading» the fight to root out corruption. Without receiving the specific answer he was looking for, Higgins called for Ellison’s resignation.
«I’m not talking about Medicaid fraud, don’t hide behind that,» Higgins said, interrupting Ellison. «You have the authority to prosecute anything criminally that the governor asks you to, and this thing is big. I’m giving you an opportunity, sir, are you leading the criminal investigative effort into this massive fraud across the board…or not?» Higgins pressed.
«You are not leading. I’m going to say, Mr. Chairman, that the attorney general of the state of Minnesota should resign,» Higgins said.
At the close of the hearing, things became tense again when GOP Rep. Nick Langworthy suggested that Walz, who is still serving as governor despite dropping out of his reelection bid due to the fraud scandal, should be impeached for «malfeasance,» citing Minnesota’s Constitution.
Related Article
minnesota fraud exposed,minnesota,tim walz,politics,state and local
La Defensoría del Consumidor anunció el lanzamiento de Precompra, un portal digital que permite a los salvadoreños comparar y verificar el precio de más de 100,000 productos en supermercados a nivel nacional. Según Ricardo Salazar, presidente de la entidad, esta plataforma responde a la necesidad de fortalecer la transparencia y la competencia en el mercado de consumo masivo.
En la entrevista AM de Canal 10, el funcionario explicó que la herramienta—disponible en precompra.defensoria.gob.sv— se presenta como una de las iniciativas destacadas del gobierno para ampliar el acceso a información sobre precios y ofertas. De acuerdo con Salazar, el sitio recopila semanalmente datos de más de 170 supermercados en 34 municipios. Los usuarios pueden buscar productos específicos, comparar precios por categoría y zona geográfica, y generar listas personalizadas de compras.
El presidente de la Defensoría del Consumidor subrayó que este sistema “facilita la toma de decisiones informadas y contribuye a generar condiciones de competencia real”. Además, detalló que los consumidores pueden crear un perfil propio en el portal, guardar listas de compras y recibir alertas cada vez que los precios se actualizan. La plataforma abarca 20 categorías, desde alimentos básicos, lácteos, carnes y huevos, hasta productos de limpieza, alimentos para mascotas y suplementos infantiles.
Durante la entrevista, Salazar destacó que el monitoreo permanente de precios en la cadena de suministro ha permitido identificar “incrementos abruptos” y prácticas abusivas. La institución ha realizado más de 6,000 verificaciones en los primeros meses del año y ha impuesto más de 160 multas por incrementos injustificados de precios, sumando sanciones superiores a $930 mil.
El funcionario precisó que los principales rubros donde se han detectado irregularidades corresponden a frutas, verduras, granos básicos, huevos, carnes y algunos insumos agrícolas. “Las sanciones también han alcanzado a proveedores que no han colaborado con los procedimientos de investigación”, mencionó.
La Defensoría del Consumidor cuenta con mecanismos para recibir denuncias sobre alzas injustificadas de precios. Los ciudadanos pueden reportar irregularidades a través de WhatsApp (7844-1482) o llamando al número 910, proporcionando información del producto, el comercio y, si es posible, una fotografía del lugar.
En cuanto a la atención ciudadana, la Defensoría del Consumidor ha brindado más de 21,000 atenciones en lo que va del año, de las cuales el 70% corresponden a servicios no presenciales —por canales electrónicos y telefónicos— y el resto a las atenciones en oficinas físicas distribuidas en todo el país. De ese total, 17,800 han sido asesorías y 3,300 corresponden a denuncias. El sector de servicios financieros concentra el 35% de las atenciones, seguido de los servicios generales, telecomunicaciones y electrodomésticos.
Según los datos presentados por el titular de la Defensoría, la institución ha recuperado $3.7 millones en favor de 3,300 consumidores durante el año. El 58% de ese monto proviene de reclamos colectivos y el 42%, de casos individuales. El sector inmobiliario encabeza la lista de recuperaciones con 2.3 millones de dólares y 1,052 beneficiarios, seguido de los servicios financieros, donde se recuperaron $629,000 para más de 1,200 usuarios.
Entre los principales motivos de recuperación aparecen el incumplimiento de contratos y ofertas, con $2.4 millones a favor de 1,383 consumidores, y los cobros indebidos, que suman $597,000 en beneficio de 1,430 personas.
Salazar también abordó la figura del delegado encubierto, una modalidad de inspección habilitada desde julio de 2024 tras una reforma legal. Según el presidente de la Defensoría del Consumidor, esta herramienta permite a funcionarios de la entidad actuar como consumidores comunes para verificar el cumplimiento de ofertas, promociones y condiciones de venta en comercios de todo el país. Durante el año pasado, esta modalidad permitió realizar más de 240 verificaciones, con un índice de hallazgos de incumplimiento superior al 60% en cobros indebidos y de hasta el 80% en casos de publicidad engañosa o información insuficiente sobre promociones.
Las sanciones por infracciones detectadas mediante este mecanismo pueden alcanzar los 500 salarios mínimos en casos de prácticas abusivas, y hasta 200 salarios mínimos por publicidad engañosa o falta de información. Actualmente, la Defensoría del Consumidor tramita 149 denuncias derivadas de estas inspecciones.
Con la proximidad de la Semana Santa, la entidad prepara un despliegue especial para verificar precios y condiciones en comercios relacionados con turismo, alimentación y hospedaje. Además, prevé lanzar un informe comparativo sobre productos de temporada, como bloqueadores solares e hidratantes, y reforzar los controles para evitar la venta de productos vencidos en establecimientos turísticos y supermercados.
El presidente de la Defensoría del Consumidor reiteró el llamado a la ciudadanía para utilizar los canales de denuncia y aprovechar la plataforma Precompra como herramienta de consulta y protección de sus derechos.
Corporate Events,Society / Social Issues,South America / Central America
INTERNACIONAL
‘It was time’: Despite rare criticism, some Hill Republicans welcome Kristi Noem’s ouster
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
President Donald Trump took Washington by surprise Thursday with his decision to remove Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, but few lawmakers on Capitol Hill questioned his decision.
Though Republicans rarely criticized Noem during her tenure, many GOP lawmakers argued Thursday that the secretary’s ouster was the right move. Trump quickly nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., a close ally, to head the sprawling agency Thursday afternoon.
«I think the president is doing what’s necessary to make sure the department is going to be operating effectively,» Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., who welcomed the news of Mullin’s appointment, said Thursday. «It was time.»
Mullin, a 48-year-old lawmaker, is a member of Senate Republicans’ leadership team and previously served several terms in the House of Representatives.
Republicans have praised President Donald Trump’s decision to tap Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to lead the Department of Homeland Security. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
Noem’s time helming DHS was rocked by a series of controversies involving an expensive ad campaign she claimed had Trump’s approval and her widely-panned response to the fatal shootings of two Americans in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers earlier this year.
«Obviously, it did not go well,» Donalds added when asked about Noem’s appearance during two hearings on Capitol Hill this week.
Several GOP lawmakers, including Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and John Kennedy, R-La., tore into Noem during her appearance before the Senate’s judiciary panel on Tuesday.
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a moderate lawmaker retiring at the end of his term, echoed Kennedy’s criticism questioning Noem’s prominent role in the costly ad campaign and her ties to recipients awarded contracts.
«There’s legit concerns. When there was a $200 million advertising [campaign], we should be better stewards of our money,» Bacon said. «I think the president probably saw a need for change.»
DHS has fired back that the massive ad campaign resulted in millions of self-deportations.
Few Republicans on Capitol Hill disputed President Donald Trump’s decision to oust current Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
DHS DEFENDS MCLAUGHLIN AFTER ALLEGATIONS HUSBAND’S COMPANY PROFITED MILLIONS FROM AD CONTRACTS: ‘BASELESS’
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital Thursday that Noem’s departure would eliminate «distractions» and «conflicts» that erupted at DHS under her leadership.
«The department needs to be entirely focused on its mission, given the situation in the Middle East right now,» Lawler said, referring to Operation Epic Fury in Iran.
Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., who is not running for reelection, wrote on social media Thursday that a «change in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security was long overdue.»
House Democrats, many of whom fiercely criticized Noem’s role in the Trump administration, appeared to agree.
«She’s done enough damage that the president finally came to his senses,» Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the lead Democrat on the House homeland security panel, said Thursday.
«I think it’s the right decision by the president. It’s been a long time coming,» Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., told Fox News Digital.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said he wants Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to succeed as head of the Department of Homeland Security after repeatedly calling on outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Moskowitz, who tussled with Noem during her testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, argued that she would go down as the worst DHS secretary in the agency’s two-decade history. He declined, however, to sign on to articles of impeachment circulated by House Democrats.
When asked about Mullin’s appointment, Moskowitz said he wished him good luck. «She’s left him a disaster, but obviously I want him to succeed,» the Florida Democrat said of Noem’s tenure. «We should all want that, so let’s give him that opportunity.»
Related Article
homeland security,kristi noem,republicans,appointments,politics
WATCH: Walz, Ellison, Omar refuse to answer when pressed on fraud after contentious fraud hearing
Sandra Pettovello, ministra de Capital Humano: “Técnicamente, no existen los planes sociales”
Otro dolor de cabeza para Scaloni rumbo a la Finalíssima y el Mundial: Paulo Dybala se operó la rodilla
La CGT se presentó ante la Justicia para intentar frenar la reforma laboral
Nintendo está mandando mensajes con otro personaje nuevo de Super Mario Galaxy: La Película – Nintenderos
En medio de la polémica, filtraron las fotos que prueban el romance de Evangelina Anderson con Ian Lucas
Puertas adentro, Villarruel explotó: «El esfuerzo no lo hizo la política» y demolió el relato económico de Milei
Pampita se mudó a un castillo francés de detalles alucinantes: «1000 metros, 14 ambientes, vale 11 millones de dólares»
El hijo adoptivo de José María Muscari tomó una tajante decisión de vida a los 18 años
¡Interna total! Pablo Layus explotó y blanqueó quiénes son los que arruinan Intrusos: «Te matan»
CHIMENTOS2 días agoEl hijo adoptivo de José María Muscari tomó una tajante decisión de vida a los 18 años
- CHIMENTOS2 días ago
¡Interna total! Pablo Layus explotó y blanqueó quiénes son los que arruinan Intrusos: «Te matan»
- CHIMENTOS3 días ago
Ángel de Brito contó la oscura verdad de Jorge Rial para no ir a LAM: “Es un…”
