US Seizes Venezuelan President Maduro's Plane

The United States has seized a private jet belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing his regime of illegally purchasing the $13 million aircraft and smuggling it out of Venezuela. The seizure was executed in the Dominican Republic, where the Falcon 900EX was intercepted before being flown to Florida, according to the US Department of Justice.

The circumstances under which the jet ended up in the Dominican Republic remain unclear, but flight tracking data showed the aircraft leaving La Isabela International Airport near Santo Domingo on Monday and landing at Fort Lauderdale Airport shortly afterward.

Venezuela has condemned the seizure, labeling it an act of "piracy." Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized the US for using "coercive measures" imposed unilaterally and in violation of international law. The Venezuelan government vowed to pursue legal action to address what it called damage to the nation.

US officials claim that the plane was seized due to violations of export control and sanctions laws. An investigation revealed that individuals linked to President Maduro used a Caribbean-based shell company to hide their involvement in the illegal purchase of the jet from a Florida-based company in late 2022 and early 2023. The aircraft was then smuggled from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023.

Despite US claims that the sale and export of the jet violated sanctions, President Maduro is unlikely to be swayed, having long accused Washington of meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs. A White House National Security Council spokesperson stated that the move was part of ongoing efforts to ensure that Maduro "continues to feel the consequences of his misrule."

US Attorney Markenzy Lapointe, from the Southern District of Florida, praised the cooperation of Dominican authorities in orchestrating the seizure. "No matter how luxurious the jet or powerful the officials involved, we will relentlessly pursue any aircraft illegally smuggled outside the United States," said Matthew S. Axelrod from the Department of Commerce, one of the federal agencies involved in recovering the jet.

According to Flightradar24 data, the plane made several stops, including one in Caracas, Venezuela, after departing Kingston, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in April 2023. It reportedly flew "almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela" before arriving in the Dominican Republic.

US officials said the jet had been used by Maduro for international visits. Venezuela recently suspended commercial flights to the Dominican Republic and Panama following Maduro's contested re-election in July, which many international observers, including the European Union, have refused to recognize.

Venezuela’s opposition has claimed victory in the election, with its candidate Edmundo González reportedly winning a convincing mandate. However, the electoral council, loyal to Maduro, has not acknowledged the results. The US has endorsed González, citing "overwhelming evidence" of Maduro's defeat.

This latest seizure is part of a broader US campaign against Maduro and his associates. In 2020, the US Department of Justice indicted Maduro and 14 Venezuelan officials on charges of narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. The US State Department has also offered a $15 million reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest or conviction.