Venezuela.- Tensions between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have intensified following remarks by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. On Tuesday, Maduro claimed he would have attended the U.S. presidential debate if it weren’t for the “theft” of his presidential plane, which he blames on Dominican President Luis Abinader. Maduro referred to Abinader as a “thief” and a “bandit,” expressing his frustration in a televised event.
Maduro expressed regret over missing the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, stating, “I am very attentive to the debate, but if my plane had not been stolen in the Dominican Republic, I would have traveled to the U.S.” He warned that the Dominican people would hold Abinader accountable for this incident.
On September 2, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the seizure of Maduro’s Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft in the Dominican Republic. This seizure was part of an operation related to violations of sanctions against Venezuela.
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