The Cuban regime reacted with indignation to the seizure of the plane belonging to its ally, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The outrage was evident in social media posts on X by Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.
Díaz-Canel and Rodríguez Parrilla voiced their disapproval of the U.S. government's actions, deeming them unacceptable towards a close ally. Díaz-Canel stated, "Once again, Venezuela is at the center of aggression and blackmail. We denounce the theft of resources that belong to the Venezuelan state and demand the total lifting of unilateral coercive measures against our Venezuelan brothers."
Rodríguez Parrilla added, "We condemn the illegal and fraudulent seizure of the Venezuelan presidential plane. This act of piracy violates international law by the U.S. government, which uses impunity to commit these actions under the guise of arbitrary unilateral coercive measures."
Both leaders reaffirmed their solidarity with Venezuela amidst international tensions following presidential elections that were widely declared fraudulent, exacerbating the social and political crisis in the country.
Background on Cuba's Use of Similar Aircraft
It's noteworthy that Cuban regime leaders use similar aircraft for short trips outside the island and domestically, planes that were gifted by the late Hugo Chávez. For instance, in October 2019, Díaz-Canel traveled to Mexico with his wife, Liz Cuesta, in a private jet—one of three planes worth $100 million given to the Cuban government in the 2000s by Chávez.
In a statement, Venezuela labeled the U.S. seizure of Maduro's plane as "piracy" and a "recurrent criminal practice." The statement, posted on the Instagram account of Venezuela's Foreign Minister, read, "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela denounces to the international community that once again, U.S. authorities, in a recurrent criminal practice that can only be described as piracy, have illegally confiscated an aircraft used by the President of the Republic, justifying it with the unilateral and illegal coercive measures imposed worldwide."
Based on U.S. sanctions against Venezuela, the United States confiscated the plane on Monday in the Dominican Republic, as reported exclusively by CNN.
CNN in Spanish tweeted, "The United States seizes Maduro's plane in the Dominican Republic," linking to their report.
"Seizing the aircraft of a foreign head of state is unprecedented in criminal matters. We are sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is beyond the reach of U.S. sanctions," remarked one of the two U.S. officials interviewed by the respected news channel.
Understanding the Seizure of Maduro's Plane
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the seizure of Nicolás Maduro's plane and the international reactions it has sparked.
Why did the United States seize Nicolás Maduro's plane?
The United States seized Nicolás Maduro's plane based on existing sanctions against Venezuela, aiming to enforce these measures and send a message that no one is above the law.
How did the Cuban government react to the seizure?
The Cuban government, through posts by Miguel Díaz-Canel and Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, expressed strong disapproval and condemned the seizure as an act of piracy and a violation of international law.
What has been Venezuela's official stance on the plane's confiscation?
Venezuela officially condemned the seizure as "piracy" and a "criminal practice," accusing the U.S. of justifying its actions through unilateral and illegal coercive measures.