The Secretary of State will be received by Abinader to discuss bilateral relations
The Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, has arrived in the Dominican Republic as part of a tour of the region in which he has already visited Haiti, just a few days after Washington confiscated the plane of the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, which was seized in the Caribbean country.
“Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived today in the Dominican Republic,” said the US Embassy in Santo Domingo, while highlighting that it is the first official trip made by the head of US diplomacy to the country.
Thus, he stressed through a message published on his account on the social network X that Blinken will meet with the Dominican president, Luis Abinader, with the aim of “strengthening” their “close long-standing partnership.”
“They will discuss collaboration to advance inclusive economic growth, defend human rights, and promote good governance, security, and climate resilience in the region,” the Embassy said.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller recently stated that Blinken would travel to Haiti and the Dominican Republic and stressed that he would meet with Abinader during his visit to the country, a fact also confirmed by the Dominican Presidency, which detailed that the meeting will take place at the National Palace.
“Antony Blinken will arrive at the National Palace at 9:55 a.m. (local time), along with the entourage that will accompany him,” said the Dominican Presidency, which specified that there will first be a private meeting, followed by “a broader bilateral meeting with members of both delegations.”
Blinken’s trip comes three days after the United States confiscated Maduro’s plane, alleging that it was purchased and operated in violation of sanctions imposed by Washington, which is why the aircraft was transferred to the state of Florida. After that, Caracas denounced an act of “piracy.”
For his part, the Dominican Foreign Minister, Roberto Álvarez, responded to Venezuela’s criticism and denied any direct responsibility on the part of the country’s authorities in what happened, arguing that the entire process took place within the courts.
The plane, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was in Dominican territory for maintenance needs, something that the minister considered “quite normal,” given the “very good quality” services offered. The Dominican Government has also clarified that it was not in the name of the Venezuelan Government, but of a private individual.
A court in the Dominican Republic then authorized the immobilization of the aircraft and on Monday a new court order was issued allowing the delivery of the plane to the “requesting” country, in this case the United States. “The Public Ministry complied with what was ordered by the courts,” said Álvarez.
