US to Return Seized Tanker to Venezuela

The US authorities will hand over one of the tankers seized in January to Venezuela, Reuters reported, citing two anonymous American officials. According to the agency's sources, the tanker in question is the 'Sophia,' which was detained on January 7 in international waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Reuters notes that this is the first seized tanker that the US administration is returning to Venezuela. The sources did not clarify the basis for this decision. At the time of the tanker’s detention, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the vessel, sailing under the Panama flag, belonged to no nation.

The following day, Panama's maritime administration announced that the 'Sophia' had been removed from the national ship registry in January 2025.