U.S. Authorities Seize Venezuelan-Owned Aircraft in Dominican Republic Amid Sanctions Evasion

U.S. Authorities Seize Venezuelan-Owned Aircraft in Dominican Republic Amid Sanctions Evasion

On Thursday, U.S. authorities seized an aircraft linked to a Venezuelan state-owned natural gas company, which was reportedly involved in evading sanctions imposed by the United States. The Dassault Falcon 2000EX was captured in the Dominican Republic, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb illicit activities benefiting the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Aircraft Ties to Venezuelan Natural Gas Company

The aircraft belonged to Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), a sanctioned entity heavily scrutinized for its operations. This action coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Dominican Republic, where he engaged in discussions with the nation’s president.

Rubio remarked on X, stating, “The seizure of this Venezuelan aircraft, which served to evade U.S. sanctions and facilitate money laundering activities, exemplifies our commitment to holding the Maduro regime accountable for its illegal maneuvers.” He emphasized collaboration with the Dominican Republic and regional partners to thwart any attempts to bypass U.S. sanctions.

Background on Sanctions and Executive Orders

This seizure is rooted in a 2019 executive order established during President Donald Trump’s administration, aimed at restricting American citizens from engaging with individuals associated with PdVSA. In January 2020, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified 15 aircraft implicated in violations of these regulations.

PdVSA purchased the aircraft from the United States in July 2017, subsequently registering it in Venezuela under tail number YV-3360, as confirmed by the U.S. Justice Department.

Violations of Sanctions and Export Controls

Despite existing sanctions against PdVSA, the aircraft received multiple maintenance updates involving U.S. parts. Upgrades such as brake assemblies, electronic flight displays, and flight management computers constituted clear violations of U.S. export control and sanctions legislation.

Devin DeBacker, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, stated, “The use of American-made parts to service and maintain aircraft owned by sanctioned entities like PdVSA is unacceptable. The Justice Department will continue to work with federal law enforcement partners to protect national security by disrupting and dismantling efforts to bypass our sanctions and export control laws.”

Recent Seizures and the Maduro Regime’s Activities

Authorities revealed that the aircraft allegedly transported sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Minister Manuel Salvador Quevedo Fernandez to an OPEC meeting in the United Arab Emirates, along with other senior members of the Maduro administration. This acquisition reflects the ongoing misappropriation of PdVSA assets by Maduro’s regime, as stated by the Justice Department.

In a related incident in September, another aircraft owned by Maduro was also confiscated in the Dominican Republic, illustrating the intensified enforcement actions against the regime. Shortly after its seizure, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) returned the Dassault Falcon 900EX to the United States.

Asset Forfeiture as a Law Enforcement Strategy

U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne commented, “Asset forfeiture is a vital law enforcement tool that we will utilize aggressively to deter, disrupt, and combat criminal operations.” Such efforts reflect a wider strategy to challenge Maduro’s actions amidst ongoing international scrutiny.

Legitimacy of Maduro’s Election

Maduro recently began his third six-year term, despite widespread doubts regarding the legitimacy of his electoral victory. Critics from both international and domestic fronts question the fairness of the electoral process. Maduro claimed to have won by over one million votes, although opposition candidate Edmundo González is believed to have achieved a significant landslide victory.

Looking Ahead: The Impact of Continued Sanctions

The seizure of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX illustrates the ongoing U.S. commitment to enforcing sanctions against the Venezuelan regime. As authorities continue to identify and dismantle avenues for sanction evasion, the landscape of U.S.-Venezuela relations remains tense. Observers will be keenly watching future actions taken by both nations as the situation develops.