US Seizes Venezuelan President Maduro’s Plane Amid Sanctions Violations

The United States has seized a private jet belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, alleging that the $13 million Falcon 900EX aircraft was illegally purchased and smuggled out of the country. The plane was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and subsequently flown to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

According to the US Justice Department, the aircraft’s acquisition and export were in violation of US export controls and sanctions. An investigation revealed that individuals associated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal their involvement in the plane’s purchase from a Florida-based company between late 2022 and early 2023. The jet was then illegally exported from the US to Venezuela via the Caribbean in April 2023.

The seizure was executed with significant assistance from Dominican Republic authorities. US officials, including Matthew S. Axelrod from the Department of Commerce, emphasized their commitment to tracking and recovering any assets illegally smuggled out of the United States, regardless of the individuals involved.

There has been no immediate response from President Maduro or the Venezuelan government regarding the seizure. Maduro has previously accused the US of interfering in Venezuela’s domestic matters, and the latest action is likely to further strain relations between the two nations.