Marco Rubio vows to counter any plan aimed at evading US sanctions
Washington, DC: After a Venezuelan aircraft was seized for breaking US export control and sanctions rules, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to thwart any attempts to circumvent US sanctions.
Notably, the US Department of Justice announced Thursday that in response to violations of US export control and sanctions laws, Dominican Republic authorities confiscated a Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft used by Petroleos de Venezuela, SA (PdVSA), the sanctioned Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company, at the US government’s request.
Rubio emphasized that the seizure shows that the United States is committed to holding the administration of Nicolás Maduro responsible for its unlawful actions.
In a post on X, Rubio stated, “The seizure of this Venezuelan aircraft, used for evading US sanctions and money laundering, is a powerful example of our resolve to hold the illegitimate Maduro regime accountable for its illegal actions.”
He also commended the Dominican Republic, the United States, and regional allies for their collaboration in thwarting plans to evade sanctions.
“With the Dominican Republic and our regional partners, we will continue to counteract any scheme to evade US sanctions,” said the statement.
Disrupting and dismantling programs to purchase American commodities in violation of US sanctions and export control rules has been a priority for the Justice Department. “It is unacceptable that aircraft operated by sanctioned entities are serviced and maintained using American-made parts,” said Devin DeBacker, chief of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
“It is unacceptable for sanctioned organizations like PdVSA to repair and maintain airplanes using components manufactured in the United States. “To protect our national security, the Justice Department and its federal law enforcement partners will continue to detect, thwart, and dismantle schemes to purchase American goods in violation of our export control laws and sanctions,” DeBacker stated.
In September 2024, the Justice Department earlier reported that a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft owned and operated by Nicolas Maduro Moros and others connected to him in Venezuela had been seized in the Dominican Republic.
The United States, like the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada, does not recognize Maduro as the rightful leader of Venezuela. It has imposed a number of penalties or limitations on visas for officials who support Maduro. CNN said that Washington does not have a diplomatic representation in Venezuela.
In order to further President Trump’s America First foreign policy, Rubio traveled to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic from February 1 to 6.
