US to continue sanctions after seizure of plane linked to Venezuelan President Maduro, Blinken says

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that the United States will continue to enforce sanctions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following the seizure and investigation of two planes linked to him earlier this week in the Dominican Republic.

On Friday, Blinken spoke with Dominican President Luis Abinader during his first official visit to Santo Domingo as the top U.S. diplomat.

Blinken underscored the United States’ commitment to continue working with the Dominican Republic to promote inclusive economic growth, strengthen democratic institutions, defend human rights, and improve governance and security.

On Monday, U.S. authorities seized a plane used by Maduro, the equivalent of Air Force One. The aircraft, undergoing maintenance in the Dominican Republic, was seized because it was illegally purchased through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States, in violation of U.S. export control and sanctions laws.

Following Maduro’s controversial re-election on July 28, Venezuela suspended commercial flights to and from the Dominican Republic.

A second plane linked to Maduro is under investigation in the Dominican Republic. The aircraft is similar to the one seized Monday and is on the U.S. Treasury’s list of assets sanctioned as belonging to Maduro.

“On the aircraft seizures, we have been very clear. We will enforce our sanctions and if we find violations of those, we will act. That is what we have done and that is what we will continue to do,” Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference with Abinader at the National Palace.

The Dominican Republic will host the 2025 Summit of the Americas, where leaders from the Western Hemisphere will address common challenges and political issues facing the region.

On August 16, Abinader was sworn in for a second four-year term, pledging to strengthen security by increasing police training over the next four years. His administration has also implemented policies banning the entry of migrants from Haiti.

The United States has urged the Dominican Republic to establish a path toward normalization with Haiti as border tensions continue to escalate.

Blinken said he and Abinader were committed to supporting Haitians to strengthen security and “ensure that the population is treated humanely.”

Abinader told reporters that his country will continue to move forward and normalize relations with Haiti, including opening air flights, but that the safety and security of the citizens of the Dominican Republic remains the priority.

On August 2, the United States and the Dominican Republic signed a historic Open Skies Agreement. Once in force, this agreement will expand opportunities for airlines, travel agencies, and people-to-people exchanges. More than 4 million U.S. citizens visit the Dominican Republic each year.

The Dominican Republic is a crucial partner of the United States in hemispheric affairs, given its position as the second largest economy in the Caribbean, after Cuba, and the third most populous country, behind Cuba and Haiti. The United States is its largest trading partner.

Additionally, the Dominican Republic is home to Pueblo Viejo, one of the world’s largest gold mines, and is a leading global supplier of ferronickel, used to make stainless steel.

The Dominican Republic and the United States, along with five Central American countries, are parties to the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, known as CAFTA-DR. This agreement improves economic opportunities by eliminating tariffs, opening markets, reducing barriers to services, and promoting transparency.

The U.S. Agency for International Development is investing more than $9.5 million to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s existing justice system and reduce crime and violence.

Blinken also announced Friday “the first phase of a supply chain investment through USAID, an initial $3 million that will help the Dominican government improve workforce training, build industrial parks, and attract high-tech industries here in the Dominican Republic.”