US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to counter any efforts aimed at bypassing US sanctions, following the seizure of a Venezuelan aircraft linked to violations of US export control and sanctions laws.
On Thursday, the US Department of Justice confirmed that authorities in the Dominican Republic had seized a Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft used by Petroleos de Venezuela, SA (PdVSA), the state-owned Venezuelan oil and natural gas company under US sanctions. The seizure was carried out at the request of the US government, based on violations of export control and sanctions laws.
Rubio emphasized that this action underscored the US’s commitment to holding the regime of Nicolás Maduro accountable for illegal activities. On X, Rubio wrote, “The seizure of this Venezuelan aircraft, used to evade US sanctions and engage in money laundering, is a powerful example of our resolve to hold the illegitimate Maduro regime accountable for its unlawful actions.”
He also commended the cooperation between the US, the Dominican Republic, and other regional partners in combating sanctions evasion efforts. “With the Dominican Republic and our regional partners, we will continue to counteract any scheme to evade US sanctions,” Rubio added.
The Justice Department has been focused on dismantling operations aimed at procuring American goods in violation of sanctions. Devin DeBacker, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, stressed that the use of American-made parts to maintain aircraft operated by sanctioned entities, such as PdVSA, would not be tolerated. “The Justice Department, along with our 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,” DeBacker said.
This action follows a similar seizure in September 2024, when a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic, linked to Maduro and his affiliates in Venezuela.
Like the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada, the US does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader and has imposed extensive sanctions on officials aligned with his regime. The US has no diplomatic presence in Venezuela, according to CNN.
This move comes as Rubio concluded a diplomatic visit to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic from February 1-6, aimed at advancing President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy.
