WASHINGTON: The United States is handing back to Venezuela an oil tanker it seized earlier this month, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Wednesday. The vessel, identified as the Panama-flagged supertanker “M/T Sophia”, was among several tankers apprehended as part of a months-long U.S. campaign targeting vessels linked to Venezuelan oil shipments.
Since late last year, U.S. authorities have seized seven such tankers. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not explain why the Sophia was being returned to Venezuelan authorities.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which oversees interdiction and seizure operations, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Venezuela’s communications ministry also did not respond. The Sophia was carrying oil when it was intercepted on January 7 by the Coast Guard and U.S. military forces. At the time, U.S. officials described the vessel — which is under sanctions — as a “stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker.”
One of the sources said it was unclear whether the tanker still had oil on board. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has focused his Latin America policy heavily on Venezuela, initially seeking to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power. After diplomatic efforts failed, Trump ordered U.S. forces to attempt a dramatic overnight raid on January 3 to detain Maduro and his wife, according to U.S. officials.
Trump has since said the United States plans to exert long-term control over Venezuela’s oil resources as part of a proposed $100 billion effort to revive the country’s struggling oil industry. Earlier this month, the Sophia and another seized tanker were spotted near Puerto Rico. Many of the tankers linked to Venezuela and targeted under Western sanctions are more than 20 years old and operate without proper safety certification or insurance, maritime and insurance experts say.
This lack of coverage makes liability claims in the event of collisions or oil spills extremely difficult.Dubai-based ship recycling firm “GMS” has applied for a U.S. license to purchase and scrap tankers seized by the U.S. government that are connected to Venezuelan oil trading.
