After vanishing from view, two US-seized Venezuela oil tankers reappear near Puerto Rico

Oil tankers Galileo, previously known as the Veronica, and M Sophia, which were seized by the United States, are anchored off the coast of Ponce, Puerto Rico, January 21, 2026. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo

PONCE, Puerto Rico/HOUSTON, ‌Jan 21 (Reuters) - Two oil tankers seized this month by the U.S. in its campaign against Venezuela were near Puerto ‌Rico on Wednesday, a Reuters witness and Tankertrackers.com data said, the first sightings almost since their capture and ‌a possible hint at their destination.

The ships are supertanker M Sophia, seized by the U.S. on January 7 carrying Venezuelan oil, and the smaller tanker Galileo, formerly called Veronica and taken last week empty, although it has previously carried Venezuelan oil.