Blinken vows sanctions against Venezuela after US seizes plane
2 Min Read
Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed US sanctions enforcement against Venezuela under the pretext that the US is committed to "restoring democracy in the country."
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a joint press conference with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, Sept. 6, 2024. (Roberto Schmidt/Pool photo via AP)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged on Friday that the US will continue to enforce sanctions against Venezuela.
"We have been very clear. We will implement our sanctions and, if we find violations of them, we will act. That's what we did, and that's what we will continue to do," Blinken told a news conference with President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic.
This comes after the US pirated an airplane linked to the Venezuelan Presidency in the Dominican Republic on Monday. The US Justice Department claimed that the aircraft was purchased for $13 million using a shell company to evade US sanctions. Venezuela's foreign ministry has accused the US of piracy following the seizure of the aircraft.
When asked about reports of a second Venezuelan airplane in the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader stated that his country had "received no legal notification" from the US regarding another aircraft.
"We will continue to defend democratic rights and show our empathy over the situation in Venezuela," Abinader said.
Rueda de Prensa - Visita Oficial Secretario de Estado de EE. UU. Antony Blinken y Presidente RD Luis Abinader. https://t.co/cjghU4XbCn
— Luis Abinader (@luisabinader) September 6, 2024
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of a politically charged environment in Venezuela.
Following the presidential election in late July 2024, which the National Electoral Council declared Maduro won, the US and opposition forces have been intensifying their efforts to sabotage his victory.
They have propagated allegations of electoral fraud and asserted that their preferred candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, was the rightful winner.
Maduro has accused these influences of triggering political instability and vowed to crack down on individuals complicit with US sabotage operations.
Read more: US pirates Venezuela's Presidential airplane, flies it to Florida
