In an escalating diplomatic spat, Venezuela charged that the US is engaging in "blatant robbery" after the seizure of a government aircraft in the Dominican Republic, orchestrated under Secretary of State Marco Rubio's oversight.
**Venezuela Accuses US of 'Blatant Robbery' Post Plane Seizure**
**Venezuela Accuses US of 'Blatant Robbery' Post Plane Seizure**
Venezuela has labeled the recent US confiscation of one of its government planes as a "blatant robbery," escalating tensions between the two nations over sanctions and sovereignty.
Venezuela has condemned the US for its recent confiscation of a government aircraft, describing the action as a "blatant robbery." The US states that the plane was seized based on violations of sanctions, export controls, and money laundering. This marks the second US seizure of a Venezuelan government plane in the Dominican Republic within a year, highlighting ongoing tensions due to sanctions imposed on the Maduro government over claims of human rights abuses and corruption.
Rubio, while overseeing the confiscation of the Dassault Falcon 200 jet, claimed that the sanctions imposed are essential for holding the Venezuelan regime accountable for its alleged transgressions. The Venezuelan foreign ministry retaliated by calling Rubio an "aircraft thief" and declared intentions to take all actions necessary to have the plane returned. This incident follows an earlier seizure in September during Joe Biden's presidency, demonstrating a persistent pattern of US actions against Venezuelan state assets amid contested claims of electoral legitimacy in the country.
