US Takes Venezuelan Plane Due To Alleged Sanctions Violations

The United States has seized a second plane owned by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s regime in the Dominican Republic, citing sanctions evasion efforts.

Key Takeaways

A Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft, used by Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PdVSA, was seized for violating U.S. sanctions.
The seizure coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Dominican Republic.
The aircraft was maintained using U.S. parts, violating export control and sanctions laws.
This action is part of ongoing efforts to hold the Maduro regime accountable for illegal activities.

U.S. Strikes Again: Second Venezuelan Aircraft Seized

In a bold move against the Maduro regime, U.S. authorities have captured a second Venezuelan government plane at an airport in the Dominican Republic. The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 2000EX, was reportedly used by Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, in what U.S. officials claim was an attempt to circumvent international sanctions.

This seizure marks the second such incident in recent months, highlighting the U.S. government’s intensified efforts to enforce sanctions against the Venezuelan regime. The action coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Dominican Republic for talks with its president, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the operation.

US seizes second plane owned by Venezuelan government in Dominican Republic, citing evasion of sanctions https://t.co/2ijiJcxgdO

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 7, 2025

Sanctions Evasion and Aircraft Maintenance

The seized aircraft, purchased from the U.S. in 2017 and exported to Venezuela, was registered as YV-3360. Despite being subject to sanctions, the plane continued to receive maintenance using U.S. parts, a clear violation of export control and sanctions laws. This maintenance included critical components such as brake assemblies, electronic flight displays, and flight management computers.

“The use of American-made parts to service and maintain aircraft operated by sanctioned entities like PdVSA is intolerable,” stated Devin DeBacker, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, emphasizing the gravity of the violation.

The aircraft was allegedly used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan officials, including Oil Minister Manuel Salvador Quevedo Fernandez, to international meetings, further violating the executive order prohibiting transactions with PdVSA.

U.S. Enforces Sanctions

The seizure of this aircraft is part of a broader strategy to counteract the misappropriation of PdVSA assets by the Maduro regime.

“The seizure of this Venezuelan aircraft, used for evading U.S. sanctions and money laundering, is a powerful example of our resolve to hold the illegitimate Maduro regime accountable for its illegal actions,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared, underlining the U.S. commitment to enforcing sanctions.

U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne reinforced this stance, stating, “Asset forfeiture is a powerful law enforcement tool, which we will continue to use aggressively to deter, disrupt and otherwise combat criminal activity.”

The successful seizure of the aircraft was made possible through cooperation between U.S. authorities and the Dominican Republic. As Nicolas Maduro begins his controversial third term as president, amid widespread skepticism over the legitimacy of his election victory, this aircraft seizure serves as a reminder of the ongoing international pressure on his regime.