The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing sanctions against Venezuela following the seizure of a Venezuelan aircraft accused of violating US export control and sanctions laws.
The US Department of Justice announced on Thursday that authorities in the Dominican Republic had confiscated a Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft used by Petroleous de Venezuela, SA (PdVSA), Venezuela’s sanctioned state-owned oil and gas company. The seizure was executed at the request of the US government due to violations of US export control regulations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that this action underscores the US’s determination to hold the Maduro regime accountable for its unlawful activities.
Sharing a post on X, Rubio stated, “The seizure of this Venezuelan aircraft, used for evading US sanctions and money laundering, is a powerful example of our resolve to hold the illegitimate Maduro regime accountable for its illegal actions.”
Rubio also acknowledged the collaboration between the US, the Dominican Republic, and regional partners in preventing sanctions evasion. “With the Dominican Republic and our regional partners, we will continue to counteract any scheme to evade US sanctions,” he added.
The Justice Department has been actively working to dismantle operations that attempt to procure American goods in violation of US sanctions and export control laws. Devin DeBacker, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, condemned the use of American-made parts in servicing and maintaining aircraft operated by sanctioned entities.
“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,” said DeBacker.
In a previous operation in September 2024, the Justice Department had also seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft in the Dominican Republic. This aircraft was reportedly owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolas Maduro Moros and his associates in Venezuela.
The US, along with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada, does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader and has imposed multiple sanctions and visa restrictions on officials aligned with his regime. Washington currently has no diplomatic presence in Venezuela, according to a CNN report.
This latest action comes as Secretary Rubio completed a diplomatic tour of Central America, including visits to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, between February 1-6. The trip was aimed at advancing President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy.