Sophia

The Sophia is an oil tanker that was recently seized by the US Coast Guard in international waters near the Caribbean Sea. The seizure was part of a "meticulously coordinated" operation involving two "ghost fleet" tanker ships, the other being the Marinera. According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the Sophia and Marinera were "either last docked in Venezuela or Russia." The US Coast Guard boarded both ships within hours of each other. The Sophia's seizure is newsworthy due to its connection to potential sanctions violations or illicit activities, given its status as a "ghost fleet" tanker and its alleged ties to Venezuela or Russia. This event highlights ongoing efforts by the US to enforce maritime regulations and potentially disrupt illicit trade activities in the Caribbean region.