Emergency assertion about Marinera tanker to be made in House of Commons tonight

The tanker, a Venezuelan-linked vessel previously known as Bella-1, was captured by US forces as it travelled north and eastwards through the waters between Iceland and Scotland

An emergency statement on the seizure of the Marinera tanker is expected to be made in the Commons this evening. British armed forces provided support to the United States’ seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday.

The tanker, a Venezuelan-linked vessel previously known as Bella-1, was captured by US forces as it travelled north and eastwards through the waters between Iceland and Scotland. British armed forces provided support to the US operation to seize the Marinera tanker, including RAF surveillance and the RFA Tideforce support ship, the Ministry of Defence said.

The department insisted the support was “in full compliance with international law”.

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The vessel was said to have escaped Donald Trump’s “total naval blockade” of Venezuela, put in place in December. Photos shared by the US’s European military command on social media as it confirmed the seizure showed the Marinera at a distance off the prow of an American vessel.

Posting on social media, the US European Command said: “The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWartoday announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions.

“The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro.”

It continued: “This seizure supports @POTUS Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere.

“The operation was executed by DHS components with support from @DeptofWar , showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the Prime Minister of “looking ridiculous” for refusing to say that US president Donald Trump had broken international law over his actions in Venezuela.

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