The 🇺🇸 United States has returned an oil tanker it seized earlier this month to Venezuela.
The vessel is the second of seven tankers to be returned to Venezuelan waters, after the 115,000-dwt Olina (built 2005) earlier this month.
The sanctioned 320,100-dwt VLCC M Sophia (built 2004) was one of seven seized so far by US forces as it tries to block unauthorised shipments from the South American country.
Two US officials told Reuters the vessel will be returned for Venezuelan trading. The reason is not clear.
The US Coast Guard, which leads interdiction and seizure operations, has not commented.
The M Sophia was carrying crude when it was intercepted on 7 January by the Coast Guard and the US military.
The ship was described by the US as a “stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker”. It is not known if the cargo remains on board.
US forces captured the M Sophia after descending onto its deck from a helicopter, footage from US Southern Command shows.
It was reported that the VLCC was listed under the flag state of Panama until this month.
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