Two U.S. officials said on Wednesday that the United States will hand over to Venezuela a fuel tanker it had seized earlier this month.

Since late last year, the United States has been attempting to seize oil tanks 'linked' to Venezuela. Seven arrests have taken place.

Under the condition of anonymity the officials identified the vessel that was being handed over to Venezuelan Authorities as the supertanker M/T Sophia, which is registered under the Panamanian flag. The officials did not specify why the tanker had been returned.

The U.S. Coast Guard which is responsible for interdiction and seizure did not respond immediately to a comment request.

The Venezuelan Communications Ministry, which is responsible for?all government press inquiries, didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

The Sophia was carrying oil when it was intercepted on January 7, by the Coast Guard, and U.S. Military forces. The administration claimed at the time that the Sophia, which was under sanctions, is a "stateless dark fleet motor-tanker."

One source did not know whether the Sophia had any oil left on board.

Trump's foreign policy in Latin America has been focused on Venezuela. He initially wanted to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump, after failing to find a diplomatic resolution, ordered U.S. troops to fly into Venezuela to capture him and his spouse in a daring nighttime raid on January 3.

Trump said that the U.S. will control Venezuela's oil for as long as they want to rebuild Venezuela's deteriorated oil industry with a $100 billion plan.

In the past few months, the Sophia tanker and another one that was seized were seen near Puerto Rico.

Experts said that many of the Venezuelan-linked tankers, along with those under Western sanctions and part of the shadow fleet, were built more than 20 years ago, and they pose a danger to shipping due to their lack of safety certification and insurance.

Shipping and insurance sources say that it is difficult or impossible to establish liability or?insurance claims' in the event of a collision.

GMS, a Dubai-based company, has applied to the U.S. for a license to purchase and scrap ships that have been seized by US authorities in connection with Venezuelan oil trade. Reporting by Idrees Al and Phil Stewart, Editing by Chris Reese Rod Nickel and Cynthia Osterman

(source: Reuters)