US Confiscates Venezuelan Aircraft Allegedly Involved in Sanctions Violations

U.S. authorities seized a Venezuelan government aircraft in the Dominican Republic, citing sanctions violations and illegal activities by the Maduro regime.

Quick Takes

A Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft owned by Venezuela’s state oil company PdVSA was seized in the Dominican Republic.
The seizure is part of U.S. efforts to enforce sanctions against the Maduro regime and prevent illegal activities.
The aircraft was allegedly used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan officials and maintained with U.S. parts, violating export control laws.
This marks the second plane owned by the Maduro regime seized in the Dominican Republic in recent months.
The action coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Dominican Republic for talks with its president.

US Tightens Grip on Venezuelan Regime’s Assets

In a significant move to enforce sanctions against Venezuela’s Maduro regime, U.S. authorities have seized a second aircraft owned by the Venezuelan government in the Dominican Republic. The Dassault Falcon 2000EX, linked to the state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), was confiscated due to alleged violations of U.S. sanctions and export control laws.

The seizure, which took place in September 2024, is part of an ongoing effort by the United States to hold the Maduro regime accountable for illegal activities, including money laundering and sanctions evasion. This action stems from a 2019 executive order issued during the Trump administration, which prohibits transactions with PdVSA.

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

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Violations of US Sanctions and Export Controls

The aircraft, purchased from the U.S. in 2017 and exported to Venezuela with the registration YV-3360, was maintained using American-made parts despite existing sanctions. This maintenance, which included components such as brake assemblies, electronic flight displays, and flight management computers, directly violated U.S. export control and sanctions laws.

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

Furthermore, the plane was allegedly used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan officials, including Oil Minister Manuel Salvador Quevedo Fernandez, to an OPEC meeting. This use of the aircraft directly contravened the executive order prohibiting transactions with PdVSA.

US Government’s Stance and Future Actions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of this seizure in holding the Maduro regime accountable for its illegal actions. The operation is part of a broader effort to counteract the misappropriation of PdVSA assets by the Venezuelan government and to disrupt schemes aimed at evading US sanctions.

“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,” Rubio said.

U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne highlighted the use of asset forfeiture as a powerful law enforcement tool in combating criminal activity. The Justice Department, along with its federal law enforcement partners, remains committed to safeguarding national security by identifying and dismantling schemes that violate US sanctions and export control laws.

International Cooperation and Implications

The successful seizure of the aircraft was made possible through cooperation with Dominican Republic authorities, who acted at the request of the U.S. government.

As Nicolas Maduro begins his controversial third term as president, amid widespread skepticism over the legitimacy of his election victory, this seizure serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between the Venezuelan government and the international community. The U.S. continues to work with regional partners to counteract efforts to evade sanctions, signaling a sustained effort to pressure the Maduro regime through economic and diplomatic means.