• The US has seized a second Venezuelan government plane, the Dassault Falcon 200, during Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to the Dominican Republic.
• Venezuela's government condemned the actions as "brazen theft," accusing the US of violating international norms.
• The seizure is part of ongoing sanctions imposed by the US in response to alleged corruption and human rights violations under Maduro's regime.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - During his visit on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the formal seizure of a second plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This Dassault Falcon 200 aircraft had been under scrutiny for violations of U.S. sanctions and is linked to the Maduro government’s use for international travel, including trips to various countries such as Turkey and Russia. The plane was officially taken from a military airstrip in Santo Domingo, with authorities placing a "seized" notice on the aircraft, marking another significant move in U.S.-Venezuelan relations that have been strained for years.Source.

The recent seizure comes on the heels of a similar action last September when another Venezuelan plane was confiscated under the Biden administration. U.S. authorities have asserted that these actions are necessary due to the involvement of Maduro’s government in activities deemed illegal under U.S. law, including money laundering and violations of export controls. A detailed report from the U.S. State Department describes multiple U.S. sanctioned flights using this aircraft, underscoring its role in the Venezuelan government’s global travel according to Reuters.

In response, the Venezuelan foreign ministry labeled the action as "brazen theft," with officials threatening to take legal measures to reclaim the aircraft. Venezuelan officials had reportedly used the plane for maintenance in the Dominican Republic before the seizure occurred CNN. The tensions have been exacerbated as Maduro's government contests the legitimacy of the U.S. sanctions, deeming them as economic warfare.

Rubio stated, "The message is that when there are sanctions... violations of human rights will not be overlooked," reasserting the U.S.'s stance against Maduro’s regime. These remarks come in light of previous diplomatic gestures, including a recent visit by U.S. envoy Richard Grenell, who met with Maduro on issues including the repatriation of U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela. However, the U.S. stands firm in its refusal to recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, complicating any future diplomatic negotiations BBC.