Venezuelan President’s Plane Seized by US Authorities in Dominican Republic

The United States has seized a plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after determining that its purchase violated U.S. sanctions. The plane was flown from the Dominican Republic to Florida. The move comes amid ongoing pressure on Maduro at home and abroad following a disputed election in July that he claimed to have won. The Venezuelan government denounced the seizure as “piracy” and illegal. Maduro, his associates, and Venezuela’s oil sector are all under heavy U.S. sanctions. The Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft was found to have been illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the U.S. for Maduro’s use. The U.S. Commerce Department emphasized that aircraft acquired illegally for sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot simply be allowed to continue flying. The seizure was carried out in collaboration with the Dominican Republic. The White House National Security Council praised the move as a necessary consequence of Maduro’s governance. The U.S. Justice Department investigation revealed that individuals linked to Maduro had used a shell company to conceal their involvement in the plane’s purchase. The aircraft had been used to transport Maduro and his representatives, including for visits to other countries. The U.S. and other Western countries have expressed skepticism about the fairness of the election in Venezuela, with the U.S. congratulating opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez for winning the most votes. Madu and his allies have criticized international interference in Venezuelan elections, citing past election controversies in the U.S. and Brazil.

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