Overview
- The Panama-flagged supertanker M/T Sophia was interdicted on January 7 by the U.S. Coast Guard and military forces.
- The administration had described the Sophia as a stateless, sanctioned dark‑fleet motor tanker at the time of its seizure.
- Officials did not disclose a reason for handing the vessel back to Venezuelan authorities.
- The U.S. Coast Guard, which leads these operations, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reported transfer.
- The reported move follows a months-long U.S. effort that has seized seven tankers since late 2025, and Panama says the Sophia was removed from its ship registry in January 2025.