US Seizes Nicolás Maduro’s $13M Jet: 5 Key Details You Need to Know

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US Seizes Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s Plane Amid Allegations of Illegal Purchase

In a significant development, the United States has seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, citing its illegal purchase and smuggling out of Venezuela. The $13 million Falcon 900EX aircraft was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and later flown to Florida, where US authorities took possession.

Seizure Details and US Justification

The US Department of Justice stated that the plane was seized due to suspected violations of US export control and sanctions laws. According to officials, the aircraft was purchased through a shell company based in the Caribbean, concealing the involvement of individuals affiliated with Maduro’s . The transaction, which occurred between late 2022 and early 2023, involved a Florida-based company, and the plane was allegedly smuggled to Venezuela via the Caribbean in April 2023.

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The US argues that this seizure is a crucial step in ensuring that President Maduro’s faces consequences for what it describes as his misgovernance of Venezuela. The White House National Security Council emphasized the importance of the action, while US Attorney Markenzy Lapointe from the Southern District of Florida praised the assistance provided by Dominican Republic authorities in facilitating the operation.

Venezuelan Government’s Response

The Venezuelan government has strongly condemned the seizure, labeling it an act of “piracy.” Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized the US for using coercive measures to justify its actions and stated that Venezuela reserves the right to pursue legal action to address the situation. The incident has further strained relations between the US and Venezuela, with President Maduro accusing the US of interfering in his country’s internal affairs.

Background and Ongoing Tensions

This is not the first time that President Maduro and his government have come under scrutiny by US authorities. In 2020, the US Department of Justice charged Maduro and 14 other Venezuelan officials with crimes including narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. The US State Department has also offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.

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The seizure of the aircraft comes at a time of heightened tensions between Venezuela and the US, as well as within Venezuela itself. The Venezuelan opposition has claimed that their candidate, Edmundo González, won the recent election, a result that has not been recognized by the electoral council loyal to Maduro. The European Union and several Latin American countries have also expressed concerns over the transparency of the election process.

As the situation continues to unfold, the seizure of President Maduro’s plane is likely to escalate the already volatile relationship between the US and Venezuela, with potential legal and diplomatic repercussions on the horizon.

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