US seizes Venezuelan President Maduro’s jet in Dominican Republic

The United States on Monday seized a private jet used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the Dominican Republic, flying the aircraft to Florida in a move that Washington says is linked to violations of U.S. sanctions.

The Dassault Falcon 900EX, reportedly valued at $13 million, was taken by U.S. officials who claim it was “illegally purchased” by individuals associated with Maduro through a Caribbean-based shell company. The Justice Department described the aircraft as being smuggled out of the U.S. for Maduro’s use.

“The Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

Flight Radar 24, an aircraft tracking website, recorded the jet’s journey from Santo Domingo to Fort Lauderdale on Monday morning.

U.S. authorities allege that those linked to Maduro used the shell company in late 2022 and early 2023 to hide their involvement in the jet’s acquisition. The plane was then allegedly exported illegally from the U.S. to Venezuela via the Caribbean in April 2023.

Since May 2023, the aircraft had been used almost exclusively for flights to and from a military base in Venezuela.

The seizure comes amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions in Venezuela, where protests erupted after Maduro was declared the winner of a disputed July 28 election. The opposition, claiming a landslide victory, has accused Maduro’s government of manipulating the election results, and international bodies have refused to recognize the outcome without a detailed vote tally.

“Maduro and his representatives have tampered with the results of the July 28 presidential election, falsely claimed victory, and carried out widespread repression to maintain power by force,” a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said, emphasizing the significance of the plane’s seizure as a step in holding Maduro accountable.

The protests in Venezuela have been marked by violence, leaving 27 people dead and at least 192 wounded, with more than 2,400 individuals arrested. The international community, including the United States and the European Union, has consistently condemned the Maduro government for human rights abuses and corruption. Washington’s sanctions against Venezuela, in place since 2005, have targeted those involved in “criminal, antidemocratic, or corrupt actions.”