US seizes second Venezuelan government plane

On February 6, the US confiscated a second plane belonging to the Venezuelan government in the Dominican Republic, witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to Reuters news agency.

According to the announcement of the US State Department, the country determined that there was a basis to confiscate the aircraft for violating US sanctions, export control regulations and anti-money laundering.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (far right) witnesses US and Dominican officials post a notice of aircraft confiscation on a Dassault Falcon 200. (Photo: Reuters)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the seizure of the plane.

Accordingly, on February 6, during the final leg of his visit to Latin America, Mr. Rubio watched a US Department of Homeland Security official post a sign with the words "confiscated" on the plane, officially seizing the vehicle.

The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 200, has been undergoing maintenance at Santo Domingo airport.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has used a Dassault Falcon 200 to travel to Greece, Türkiye, Russia, Nicaragua and Cuba.

Just last week, Mr. Rubio also announced that the US does not recognize Mr. Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela.

On the Venezuelan government side, Mr. Maduro and his government have always rejected sanctions from the US and other countries, saying these measures are illegal and are just an economic war aimed at weakening Venezuela.

The government has not yet commented on the above information.

This is the second Venezuelan plane seized by the US in the Dominican Republic in just a few months.

Dominican Republic authorities seized the plane last year after US officials determined it violated unilateral US sanctions against Venezuela.

According to the US State Department, Venezuelan officials have used the plane to fly to Greece, Türkiye, Russia, Nicaragua and Cuba and it is now being flown to the Dominican Republic for maintenance.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/my-tich-thu-may-bay-thu-2-cua-chinh-phu-venezuela-192250207082635979.htm