Finance
Exclusive-US handing over seized tanker to Venezuela, officials say
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 28, 2026
1 min readLast updated: January 28, 2026
Quick Summary
The US has returned a seized tanker to Venezuela, marking the first known instance of such an action by the Trump administration, involving the M/T Sophia.
Exclusive-US handing over seized tanker to Venezuela, officials say
US Transfers Tanker to Venezuela
WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (Reuters) - The United States is handing over a tanker to Venezuela that it seized earlier this month, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Wednesday, the first known instance where President Donald Trump's administration has returned such a tanker.
The officials, who were speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the tanker that is being handed to Venezuelan authorities was the Panama-flagged supertanker M/T Sophia. They did not say why the tanker was returned.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which leads interdiction and seizure operations, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Details of the Seizure
(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Chris Reese)
Key Takeaways
- •US hands over seized tanker to Venezuela.
- •Tanker identified as Panama-flagged M/T Sophia.
- •First known return by Trump administration.
- •US Coast Guard involved in operations.
- •Officials spoke under anonymity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Exclusive-US handing over seized tanker to Venezuela, officials say
1What is a tanker?
A tanker is a large vessel designed to transport liquids, such as oil or chemicals, across oceans and seas.
2What is the U.S. Coast Guard?
The U.S. Coast Guard is a maritime security organization responsible for enforcing laws, conducting search and rescue operations, and maintaining navigational aids in U.S. waters.
3What is a supertanker?
A supertanker is a large oil tanker that can carry vast quantities of crude oil or petroleum products, typically over 200,000 deadweight tons.
