20 September 2024

Tensions are high between the governments of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela following a series of diplomatic disputes, including the latter’s presidential election and the former’s facilitation of a plane seizure.

Relations notably soured when Venezuela unilaterally revoked Brazil’s recognition as Argentina’s diplomatic representative in Venezuela, which the Dominican Republic condemned as a violation of international diplomatic agreements, specifically the Vienna Conventions.

The Dominican government expressed concern over the impact this decision might have on Venezuelan citizens seeking asylum in the Argentine Embassy in Caracas.

The situation worsened following the disputed Venezuelan elections in July 2024, which saw President Nicolás Maduro declared the winner. Many Latin American countries, including the Dominican Republic, questioned the legitimacy of the election and called for an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) to review the results.  

“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expresses its firmest rejection of the interference and declarations of a group of right-wing governments, subordinated to Washington and openly committed to the most deafening ideological postulates of international fascism,” said the Venezuelan government in a statement.

“This is a fluid situation, and we will continue to monitor and determine our course of action,” said Dominican President Luis Abinader, who clarified that the Dominican Republic’s stance aimed to ensure Venezuela complies with calls for a vote recount in the presence of international observers.

“The Dominican Republic will never abandon its principles, particularly its commitment to democracy,” Abinader asserted, underscoring the country’s dedication to democratic values.

The diplomatic strain was exacerbated when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro demanded the withdrawal of Dominican diplomatic personnel, citing what it called “interventionist actions” by the Dominican Republic. Consequently, the Venezuelan embassy in Santo Domingo and the Dominican embassy in Caracas are no longer operational.

The disagreement has now grown to involve Russia, after the cessation of the arrangement which saw the Russian Ambassador to Venezuela also cover the Dominican Republic, using the Venezuelan Embassy as a base. The Russian government, through a decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has since approved the establishment of an embassy in the Dominican capital.

A significant flashpoint in these deteriorating relations occurred with the seizure of a plane linked to President Nicolás Maduro in the Dominican Republic by the US, alleging it was illegally purchased and used by Maduro’s government.

Venezuela has accused the Dominican Republic of working along with the US to seize the plane, viewing this incident as part of the broader diplomatic and economic hostilities directed against the country by the Abinader Administration​.

“The Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for US$13mn through a shell company and smuggled out of the US for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies,” said US Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement.

It has since been confirmed that the plane was being used by Maduro and his government including for his transportation for peace talks with Guyana in St Vincent earlier this year, as well as for prisoner exchanges with the US on the Grenadine island of Canouan.

“Once again, the authorities of the USA, in a recurring criminal practice that could not be labelled anything but piracy, have illegally seized an aircraft that has been used by the President of the Republic, justifying its action in coercive measures that, illegally and unilaterally, they impose around the world,” said Venezuela.

In another twist, Venezuelan Minister Diosdado Cabello has accused the Dominican Republic of owing US$350mn for past oil transactions. “Pay the US$350mn you owe, so you have the moral standing to talk about the people of Venezuela,” he asserted, adding that President Abinader had acted naively in the plane seizure, assuming that the US would never take action against the Dominican Republic.

Responding to the accusation about oil debt, President Abinader rejected the claims, stating that no oil imports from Venezuela have occurred since his term began in 2020. “No Venezuelan oil imports have been made during my administration,” Abinader emphasised, pointing out that the last significant transaction occurred in 2015, well before his presidency.

Citing Former Minister of Economy Juan Ariel Jiménez, local media have estimated the oil import debt to Venezuela at US$214.3mn, with US$54.3mn related to the PetroCaribe Programme.

With more than 120,000 Venezuelans living in the Dominican Republic and continued suspension of flights between the countries, there is little optimism about a thawing of relations in the near future.