A diplomatic confrontation unfolds as the United States takes bold action against Venezuela's government by seizing a state-owned aircraft in the Dominican Republic.
According to Fox News, U.S. authorities seized a Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft used by Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) on Thursday, marking the second such seizure in recent months as part of ongoing efforts to enforce sanctions against the Maduro regime.
The aircraft, purchased from the United States in July 2017 and registered under tail number YV-3360, had been maintaining operations through illegal procurement of American-made parts despite sanctions prohibiting such transactions.
This seizure coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio's diplomatic visit to the Dominican Republic, where he personally announced the enforcement action against the Venezuelan government's attempts to circumvent U.S. restrictions.
The Justice Department's involvement demonstrates an escalation in enforcement measures targeting the Maduro administration's attempts to bypass international restrictions.
The seized aircraft had been serviced multiple times using American parts, including brake assemblies, electronic flight displays, and flight management computers, all in violation of U.S. export control and sanctions laws.
National Security Division head Devin DeBacker emphasized the serious nature of these violations. He stated:
The use of American-made parts to service and maintain aircraft operated by sanctioned entities like PdVSA is intolerable. The Justice Department, along with its federal law enforcement partners, will continue to safeguard our national security by identifying, disrupting and dismantling schemes aimed at procuring American goods in violation of our sanctions and export control laws.
The aircraft's seizure follows a similar action in September 2024, when U.S. authorities confiscated another Venezuelan government plane, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, which was subsequently flown to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The seized aircraft had been used to transport high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including Oil Minister Manuel Salvador Quevedo Fernandez, who is personally under U.S. sanctions. The plane's operations included flying Venezuelan officials to international meetings, such as OPEC gatherings in the United Arab Emirates.
These enforcement actions stem from a 2019 executive order issued during President Donald Trump's administration, which prohibited American citizens from engaging in transactions with PdVSA representatives. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control subsequently identified 15 aircraft subject to these restrictions in January 2020.
U.S. Attorney Hayden O'Byrne reinforced the government's commitment to using asset forfeiture as an enforcement tool. The Justice Department views these seizures as crucial steps in combating the Maduro regime's continued misappropriation of PdVSA assets.
The recent aircraft seizures represent significant developments in the U.S. government's strategy to enforce sanctions against Venezuela's Maduro regime. The Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft was confiscated in the Dominican Republic as part of ongoing efforts to hold the Venezuelan government accountable for sanctions violations and illegal procurement of American-made parts.
These enforcement actions come at a particularly sensitive time, as Nicolas Maduro began his controversial third six-year term as president last month. His victory has been widely contested, with opposition candidate Edmundo González believed to have won by a significant margin despite official results claiming Maduro's victory by over one million votes.
