U.S. Seizes Plane Linked to Venezuela's President Maduro

According to SAEDNEWS, The United States has seized a plane owned by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the Dominican Republic and transported it to Florida, according to the Justice Department on Monday.

The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was allegedly bought for about $13 million by associates of Maduro through a shell company in the Caribbean and smuggled out of the U.S. Authorities state that since May 2023, the plane has mainly flown to and from a military base in Venezuela and has been used to transport Maduro on trips abroad.

The seizure was made in cooperation with Dominican authorities for violating U.S. sanctions and export controls. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Maduro and various Venezuelan individuals and companies due to corruption and human rights abuses.

This seizure comes shortly after a controversial presidential election in Venezuela, where both Maduro and his main opposition claimed victory. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated there is “overwhelming evidence” that opposition candidate Edmundo González won the election held on July 28, which Maduro’s critics say was rigged in his favor.

Maduro has accused the U.S. of interference in Venezuelan affairs, asserting that his election victory was confirmed by an election council loyal to him, which has not released complete vote counts. The European Union has also expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Maduro's reelection.