U.S. officials have confirmed plans to hand over the Panama-flagged supertanker M/T Sophia to Venezuelan authorities after seizing it earlier this month.
This move comes amid a series of maritime operations targeting vessels linked to Venezuela’s sanctioned oil trade, with seven such captures since late last year. Two anonymous sources revealed the transfer but gave no reason for the release, and one was unsure if oil remained on board.
The Sophia was detained on 7 January in Caribbean waters by the U.S. Coast Guard and military forces, who described it as a “stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker” carrying Venezuelan crude. Neither the Coast Guard nor Venezuela’s communications ministry has commented.
The actions align with President Trump’s focus on Venezuela, including a daring 3 January raid that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Trump aims to oversee the country’s oil output indefinitely under a $100 billion plan to revive its failing industry.
Many seized tankers, over 20 years old and uninsured, pose serious risks of spills or collisions. Dubai firm GMS seeks a U.S. licence to buy and scrap these vessels.