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Ireland says it is monitoring Venezuela-linked oil tanker near its waters.
Summary
Ireland's foreign minister said the government is monitoring a Venezuela-linked oil tanker that was reported near its exclusive economic zone, and the US has said it seized the vessel with British assistance.
Content
Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister said the government is monitoring a Venezuela-linked oil tanker that was reported near the country's exclusive economic zone. The vessel, identified as the Marinera and previously known as Bella-1, is Russian-flagged and was tracked in the North Atlantic. US military and British surveillance aircraft were seen patrolling near the ship, and the US later confirmed it had seized the Marinera with British assistance. The minister said the vessel is now far off Ireland's economic zone and that Irish Defence Forces continue to monitor maritime activity.
Key facts:
- The Marinera is a Russian-flagged tanker formerly known as Bella-1.
- It was reported in or near Ireland's exclusive economic zone but is now far off that zone.
- US military planes and British surveillance aircraft were reported to have patrolled the area as the vessel traveled through the North Atlantic.
- The US military announced it had seized the Marinera, in an operation aided by British forces including RAF surveillance.
- Ireland has been in touch with the US embassy about aircraft tracking; officials said the US complied with a 1959 agreement on overflights, and the minister has asked for a full report.
- The foreign minister said she does not support Nicolas Maduro's presidency and expressed concern at reports that international law may not have been upheld.
Summary:
The situation has drawn attention from Irish, British and US authorities and remains under Irish monitoring. Ms McEntee has requested a full report from officials and said the government will continue to follow developments.
