US Seizes PDVSA Falcon Jet Over Sanctions
In a decisive move underscoring its commitment to enforcing sanctions, United States marshals have seized a Falcon 2000EX aircraft operated by Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA – Petróleos de Venezuela. The aircraft, identified as YV3360 (msn 17), was repossessed on February 7, 2025, at Santo Domingo La Isabela Airport in the Dominican Republic in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This high-profile seizure highlights ongoing efforts by the US government to target assets associated with the controversial Maduro regime.
The 21.2-year-old Falcon 2000EX appears to have been parked in the Dominican Republic since March 2024, its location remaining undisclosed until its dramatic repossession. Although the aircraft currently remains in the country, US officials have indicated that it will likely be repatriated to the United States at a future date. According to the US government, the seized jet was used by high-ranking members of President Nicolás Maduro’s administration, including, reportedly, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. The aircraft’s use by officials tied to the Maduro regime comes in the wake of the contentious 2024 elections, which were marred by allegations of fraud.
In his remarks at the scene, Secretary 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.” The US Treasury had identified the Falcon 2000EX as a PDVSA asset in 2020, subsequently imposing sanctions on the jet as part of broader efforts to restrict the financial operations of the Maduro government.
The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly denounced the seizure as “a blatant theft” and an “illegal confiscation” of a PDVSA aircraft, accusing the Dominican government of collusion. Venezuelan officials have vowed to take all necessary actions to denounce the seizure and demand the immediate return of the aircraft, arguing that the move is politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to isolate Venezuela from international financial markets.
This is not the first instance of the US targeting aircraft linked to the Maduro administration. Last year, another jet—a Dassault Falcon 900EX, previously used as Maduro’s presidential aircraft—was seized in the Dominican Republic and later repatriated to the United States. That aircraft, registered in San Marino as T7-ESPRT (msn 007) and reportedly operated via various shell companies, underscored the Maduro regime’s efforts to circumvent US sanctions. PDVSA’s fleet also includes four Falcon 50s, one Falcon 900EX, two Falcon 900EX EASy jets, and seven Learjet 45XRs, making the recent seizure a significant blow to the regime’s aviation assets.
The action against the Falcon 2000EX reinforces the US government’s determination to enforce sanctions rigorously and disrupt the financial networks that support the Maduro regime’s operations. As legal and diplomatic battles continue to unfold, the seizure stands as a stark reminder of the US commitment to holding accountable those who engage in illicit activities and undermine international norms.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com