In a bold move that has sparked international tensions, a government plane belonging to Venezuela was seized in a daring heist in the Dominican Republic. The Venezuelan government has pointed fingers at the United States, accusing them of “brazen theft” following the confiscation of their aircraft. This marks the second Venezuelan plane to be seized by US authorities in the Caribbean nation in less than a year.
The seizure, overseen by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, occurred on Thursday and has stirred up a storm of controversy. US officials defended their actions, citing violations of sanctions, export controls, and money laundering as the legal basis for the confiscation. In response, the Venezuelan foreign ministry lambasted Rubio, branding him as “an aircraft thief.”
The ongoing feud between the US and Venezuela has been fueled by a slew of sanctions imposed by the former in response to what they perceive as criminal activities, corruption, and repression under Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Most recently, the US placed financial sanctions on numerous Venezuelan officials in the wake of a disputed presidential election that saw Maduro secure another term in office. The US, along with the opposition, has disputed the election results, alleging tampering in Maduro’s favor.
Rubio, a key figure in the Trump administration, personally supervised the confiscation of the Dassault Falcon 200 jet during a stop in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, as part of his Latin American tour. In a statement to the press, Rubio emphasized the importance of upholding sanctions in cases where human rights violations and support for anti-US activities are involved.
The alliance between Iran and Venezuela has further complicated the situation, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressing support for Maduro amid US pressure. The US, under President Donald Trump, recently intensified its campaign against Iran, aiming to curb its nuclear ambitions and impose economic restrictions through sanctions.
Last year, Dominican Republic authorities detained the Venezuelan government plane after it allegedly violated US sanctions against Venezuela. Venezuelan officials had used the aircraft for international travels to countries including Greece, Turkey, Russia, Nicaragua, and Cuba, bringing it to the Dominican Republic for maintenance. The Venezuelan foreign ministry has vowed to take all necessary actions to address what they deem as a “theft” and demand the immediate return of their aircraft.
This incident echoes a similar episode from September when the US, under President Joe Biden’s leadership, seized another Venezuelan government plane in the Dominican Republic that had been utilized for transporting President Maduro on international trips.
The ongoing tit-for-tat actions between the US and Venezuela underscore the deep-rooted animosity and geopolitical complexities at play. As tensions continue to simmer, the fate of the seized Venezuelan aircraft remains uncertain, casting a shadow over diplomatic relations between the two nations.
