In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the United States and Venezuela, the US government has seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The aircraft, valued at $13 million, was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and subsequently transferred to Florida.According to US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, the plane was purchased illegally through a shell company in the Caribbean and smuggled out of the United States in April 2023, in violation of US sanctions and export control laws. The aircraft was reportedly used ‘almost exclusively’ for flights to and from a Venezuelan military base and to transport Maduro on visits to other countries.Matthew S. Axelrod, Under Secretary for Export Control at the US Department of Commerce, stated, ‘This seizure sends a clear message: aircraft acquired illegally from the US for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot simply disappear.’ The Venezuelan government has vehemently condemned the action, describing it as ‘piracy’ and a violation of international law. In a statement, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry declared, ‘This action reveals that no state and no constitutional government is safe from the illegal actions that disregard international law.’ Venezuela has reserved the right to take legal action to ‘repair this damage to the nation’.This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following Venezuela’s recent presidential election. The US and much of the international community have questioned the legitimacy of the vote count, in which Maduro was declared re-elected for a third consecutive term. The opposition claims to have won the election, which took place in late July.The seizure of Maduro’s plane represents an unprecedented move in criminal matters involving a foreign head of state. A US official emphasized, ‘We’re sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions.’ As this situation continues to unfold, it is likely to further strain diplomatic relations between the United States and Venezuela.
Key points
- The US government has seized a $13 million plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, citing sanctions violations.
- The plane was allegedly purchased illegally through a shell company and smuggled out of the US.
- Venezuela has condemned the action as ‘piracy’ and a violation of international law, threatening legal action.
- This incident occurs amid disputed Venezuelan elections and heightened US-Venezuela tensions.
Contradictions👾While US officials claim the plane was used ‘almost exclusively’ for military and official purposes, some sources indicate it was also used to transport US citizens imprisoned in Venezuela, suggesting potential humanitarian uses.
