The United States has seized a Venezuelan government-owned Dassault Falcon 200 jet in the Dominican Republic, marking the second such seizure in less than a year. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas despite recent diplomatic engagements.
Seizure Conducted During US Official’s Visit
During his visit to the Dominican Republic, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited a military airstrip in Santo Domingo, where Dominican authorities and US officials taped a “seized” sign on the Venezuelan aircraft. The jet had been detained last year after allegedly violating US-imposed sanctions on Venezuela.
Plane’s Previous Destinations and Usage
According to the US State Department, Venezuelan officials had used the aircraft for travel to Greece, Turkey, Russia, Nicaragua, and Cuba. In 2019, Maduro’s oil minister flew on this jet to the OPEC meeting in the UAE, as per the US Treasury Department.
Second Seizure in Less Than a Year
This is the second Venezuelan aircraft seized by the US in the Dominican Republic. In September, the Biden administration confiscated another government jet that had been used for Nicolas Maduro’s international trips.
US-Venezuela Relations: Sanctions and Diplomacy
The United States has maintained strict sanctions against Venezuela, with former President Donald Trump taking a hard stance against Maduro. Despite diplomatic attempts—such as a recent visit to Caracas by Trump envoy Richard Grenell, which secured the release of six US prisoners—the US continues to reject Maduro’s legitimacy.
Future Implications
While Venezuela has called for dialogue and mutual respect, the latest aircraft seizure suggests that tensions remain high. The US insists that its stance on Maduro’s government remains unchanged despite backchannel discussions.
