In a provocative move, the United States has seized a Venezuelan government aircraft in the Dominican Republic, prompting a severe backlash from Venezuelan authorities, who described the act as "brazen theft."
Venezuela Decries US Seizure of Government Aircraft as 'Theft'
Venezuela Decries US Seizure of Government Aircraft as 'Theft'
Venezuelan officials respond strongly against the US actions, calling for the return of the seized jet.
Venezuela has reacted strongly to the recent seizure of one of its government planes by the United States, labeling the move as "brazen theft." The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the confiscation process during a military visit to the Dominican Republic, marking the second seizure of a Venezuelan aircraft in less than a year.
According to US authorities, the plane was taken due to violations of US sanctions, export controls, and money laundering concerns. Despite these claims, Venezuela's foreign ministry did not hold back in their criticism, branding Rubio "an aircraft thief." The US has long imposed sanctions on Venezuela due to allegations of corruption and repression under President Nicolás Maduro's administration.
The timing is particularly contentious given that the US has previously questioned the legitimacy of last year's presidential elections in Venezuela, which Maduro won amidst allegations of fraud. Rubio, during his trip, emphasized the necessity of enforcing sanctions in light of alleged human rights violations and Maduro's associations with adversarial nations like Iran.
Last year, in a move mirroring this recent seizure, the US had already confiscated a different Venezuelan plane, used by President Maduro during international missions, reinforcing tensions between the two nations. Venezuela's foreign ministry has pledged to pursue all necessary legal actions to reclaim the confiscated aircraft, asserting that they will not tolerate what they consider an unjust appropriation of their property.
According to US authorities, the plane was taken due to violations of US sanctions, export controls, and money laundering concerns. Despite these claims, Venezuela's foreign ministry did not hold back in their criticism, branding Rubio "an aircraft thief." The US has long imposed sanctions on Venezuela due to allegations of corruption and repression under President Nicolás Maduro's administration.
The timing is particularly contentious given that the US has previously questioned the legitimacy of last year's presidential elections in Venezuela, which Maduro won amidst allegations of fraud. Rubio, during his trip, emphasized the necessity of enforcing sanctions in light of alleged human rights violations and Maduro's associations with adversarial nations like Iran.
Last year, in a move mirroring this recent seizure, the US had already confiscated a different Venezuelan plane, used by President Maduro during international missions, reinforcing tensions between the two nations. Venezuela's foreign ministry has pledged to pursue all necessary legal actions to reclaim the confiscated aircraft, asserting that they will not tolerate what they consider an unjust appropriation of their property.
