The United States First Transfers Seized Oil Tanker, the Sophia, to Venezuela, Drawing Attention

Reuters: The US Transfers a Seized Oil Tanker to Venezuela for the First Time

London, January 29 -- TASS

The US government will transfer an oil tanker seized in early January to Venezuela. This was reported by Reuters, citing statements from two unnamed US officials.

According to sources, the case involves the super tanker "Sofia," which was seized on January 7 in international waters of the Caribbean Sea. Reuters emphasized that this is the first time the US government has returned a seized oil tanker to Venezuela. The report did not explain the basis for this decision.

When the ship, flying the Panamanian flag, was seized, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt explained that the vessel "belonged to no country." The next day, the Panamanian Maritime Authority announced that the "Sofia" had been removed from the country's ship registry as early as January 2025.

Since December 2025, US authorities have seized seven oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1855608132484105/

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