In a significant escalation of tensions between the United States and Venezuela, the US has seized a private aircraft used by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The Dassault Falcon 900EX, described as Venezuela’s equivalent of Air Force One, was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and flown to Florida on Monday.
US officials cited the plane’s acquisition as a violation of US sanctions and other criminal activities, marking a bold move in the ongoing crackdown on the Maduro regime.
The seizure is part of a broader US effort to target what it views as corrupt practices within the Venezuelan government.
The aircraft, allegedly purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the US in April 2023, has been primarily used by Maduro for international state visits and travel to a military base in Venezuela.
‘No one is above the reach of US sanctions’
The US government is treating this as a high-profile seizure, signaling that no one is above US law, not even a head of state.
“Seizing the foreign head of state’s plane is unheard of for criminal matters. We’re sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions,” a US official told CNN.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that the Justice Department was responsible for the seizure, alleging that the plane was illegally acquired and used by Maduro and his associates.
This action underscores the deteriorating relationship between the US and Venezuela, as federal agencies intensify their investigations into the Venezuelan government’s corrupt activities.
This latest development is another chapter in the US’s ongoing pressure campaign against the Maduro regime.
The US has imposed numerous sanctions on Venezuela, targeting the regime’s financial assets and wealth.
Federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Industry and Security, have been actively seizing luxury vehicles and other assets linked to the Venezuelan government.
The situation in Venezuela has had broader implications for US domestic politics as well, with millions of Venezuelans fleeing economic collapse and seeking refuge in neighboring countries and at the US-Mexico border.
What happens to the seized aircraft?
Upon its arrival in the US, the aircraft will undergo forfeiture proceedings, allowing the Venezuelan government to petition for its return.
Meanwhile, US authorities will collect evidence from the plane as part of their ongoing investigation into corruption within Maduro’s government.
The Dominican Republic played a critical role in facilitating the seizure, notifying Venezuela of the action, and highlighting the growing international efforts to hold the Maduro regime accountable.
In addition to targeting financial assets, the US has increased pressure on the Maduro regime to release data related to its presidential election.
The US government has expressed concerns about the credibility of Maduro’s re-election and has reimposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector in response to what it sees as a failure to hold fair and competitive elections.
Earlier this year, the US Justice Department charged Maduro and several Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and corruption.
The charges allege that Maduro conspired with Colombian guerrillas to flood the US with cocaine, causing significant harm to American communities.
The seizure of Maduro’s plane is just the latest in a series of actions taken by the US government against the Venezuelan leadership.
The State Department has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction, further highlighting the extent of US efforts to bring him to justice.
As US agencies continue to investigate and target the Venezuelan government’s illicit activities, the seizure of Maduro’s plane stands as a symbol of the deepening rift between the two nations.
For the people of Venezuela, the seizure is another reminder of the turmoil that has engulfed their country, leading to widespread economic collapse and a humanitarian crisis that has displaced over 7.7 million people.
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