The Situation Room - February 12th

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I’m Trent Barr, and welcome to The Situation Room! We cover the most high impact geopolitical developments every Wednesday!

Today’s topics:

• US Seizes Venezuelan Government Plane in Dominican Republic

• Hamas Delays Hostage Release, Raising Concerns Regarding Gaza Ceasefire

• Insurgent Ambush Convoy Near Gao Kills Dozens

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US Seizes Venezuelan Government Plane in Dominican Republic

_{By: Trent Barr, Staff Writer for Atlas}

US Secretary of State Marco Rubiooversaw the seizure of a Venezuelan government aircraft in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, marking another escalation in Washington’s efforts to pressure the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

US Increases Pressure on Maduro

The US State Department confirmed that authorities had determined legal grounds to file a civil forfeiture action against the Dassault Falcon 200 aircraft, citing violations of US sanctions, export controls, and money laundering laws. The plane had been undergoing maintenance at La Isabela International Airport in Santo Domingo when US Department of Homeland Security officials affixed a warrant to it, formally seizing the aircraft.

According to US officials, the aircraft had been used by high-ranking members of Maduro’s government for travel to several allied nations, including Greece, Turkey, Russia, Nicaragua, and Cuba. The seizure marks the second Venezuelan government plane that the U.S. has taken custody of in the Dominican Republic in recent months.

Rubio, on the final stop of his Latin American tour, reiterated the U.S. government’s position of not recognizing Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. The Secretary of State, a longtime advocate for sanctions against Maduro’s government, has been a vocal critic of the Venezuelan regime since his time as a US senator, where he pushed for tougher measures against both Venezuela and Cuba.

The latest seizure follows a series of moves by the US to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Caracas. Last month, US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Richard Grenell, met with Maduro in a bid to negotiate the return of six detained Americans. While those individuals were released, the talks also focused on securing Venezuela’s cooperation in accepting deportations of its nationals from the US, a point of ongoing contention.

Maduro’s government has long rejected US sanctions, denouncing them as illegitimate and part of an “economic war” aimed at destabilizing Venezuela. The country’s leadership has accused Washington of attempting to cripple Venezuela’s economy in an effort to force regime change.

The seizure also comes amid lingering disputes over Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election, in which Maduro claimed victory in a highly contested vote. The election has been rejected by opposition groups, international observers, and multiple governments, including the United States, which has refused to recognize the legitimacy of Maduro’s renewed mandate.

The US and its allies have continued to apply economic and diplomatic pressure in response to what they see as an increasingly authoritarian government in Caracas. With tensions between the two nations at a high point, the seizure of Venezuelan government assets abroad is likely to further strain relations.

The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the plane seizure. However, analysts suggest that such moves by the U.S. will likely prompt further defiance from Maduro’s administration, which has consistently resisted foreign pressure and sought alternative alliances with countries such as Russia, China, and Iran.

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