The United States has seized a Dassault Falcon 200 aircraft used by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the Dominican Republic, citing “violations of sanctions.”
In a statement, the U.S. State Department claimed that the aircraft was involved in breaches of export controls and sanctions, as well as money laundering allegations, providing sufficient legal grounds for forfeiture. The aircraft was reportedly used by senior officials of the Maduro government for travel to countries such as Turkey, Greece, Russia, Nicaragua, and Cuba.
Rubio’s Strong Message
During an official visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, formal seizure documents were signed at La Isabela International Airport in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.
Rubio commented on social media:
“The seizure of this Venezuelan aircraft, used to evade U.S. sanctions and launder money, is a strong example of our commitment to holding the illegitimate Maduro regime accountable for its illegal actions. Together with our regional partners, we will continue to counter any attempts to bypass sanctions.”
Past Incidents and Venezuela-U.S. Tensions
This is not the first time the U.S. has taken action against a Venezuelan government aircraft in the Dominican Republic. A similar incident occurred in September.
Maduro’s victory in the July 2024 elections was not recognized by the U.S. and several other countries. The Maduro government, however, considers U.S. sanctions an “economic war,” arguing that these measures aim to bring Venezuela to its knees.
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