US seizes Venezuelan President Maduro’s plane

The United States has seized an aircraft linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, claiming it was illegally purchased for $13 million and smuggled out of Venezuela. According to the US Justice Department, the Falcon 900EX jet was confiscated in the Dominican Republic before being transferred to Florida.

Venezuela has condemned the move, denouncing it as an act of “piracy” and criticising the US for justifying the seizure through its unilateral sanctions.

US authorities stated that the plane was seized over suspected breaches of export control and sanctions laws, alleging that individuals connected to Maduro used a shell company to conceal their involvement in the illicit purchase and export of the aircraft.

This is not the first instance of US federal authorities targeting President Maduro or the Venezuelan government over alleged corruption. In 2020, the Justice Department charged Maduro and 14 Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. Furthermore, the State Department has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.