Venezuela’s Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, called the seizure of a plane used by President Nicolás Maduro, which US authorities carried out on Monday (2) in the Dominican Republic, a “robbery”.
Washington determined that the acquisition of the aircraft violated US sanctions, and also established that it was purchased illegally and smuggled out of the US.
During his state television program, Cabello read several headlines and about the seizure of the plane, which US authorities said was “an unprecedented criminal offense.” The minister said, without providing evidence, that “it’s not the first time they’ve stolen it.”
In February, the U.S. government seized a Boeing cargo plane from Venezuelan state-owned Emtrasur that had been sold to it by an Iranian airline sanctioned for violating federal export control laws.
After learning of the aircraft’s arrival in the United States, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil described the transfer of the plane as “blatant theft” and said the action violated “all the rules that regulate civil aeronautics.”
“People always say: I’ll catch you on the way down,” the minister warned the governments of the United States and the Dominican Republic, thus suggesting possible retaliation, and reminded them that “we are the ones who have the oil.”
In October 2023, President Joe Biden’s administration lifted some sanctions against Venezuela, including some oil sanctions, following the Barbados Agreement signed by the ruling party and the opposition to hold free and fair elections on July 28.
In April, sanctions were reimposed, but there is a license in place that allows Chevron to source Venezuelan crude oil.
US military detained
Another recent incident in the growing enmity between Washington and Caracas was the arrest in Venezuela of a member of the US Navy, about which Cabello limited himself to reading a letter supposedly sent by one of his viewers telling him the news.
“What is this? Has there been any news out there?” the minister asked, adding that he is not in communication with US authorities on the matter.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday (4) that the US official was on a personal trip and not on behalf of the US government.
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This content was originally published in Venezuelan Minister Says Seizure of Maduro’s Plane Is a “Robbery” on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
