The US has seized an airplane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the Dominican Republic.
The seizure, reported by CNN, comes after the US determined that the aircraft's acquisition violated US sanctions and other criminal regulations. The plane, which has been described as Venezuela’s equivalent to Air Force One, was flown to Florida on Monday.
The action marks a heightened level of confrontation in the long-strained relationship between the two countries. Officials have stated that the seizure is intended to send a clear message that no one is above the law, including foreign heads of state. The plane was reportedly used primarily for Maduro’s international travels and was registered under an individual's name rather than the Venezuelan government's.
Detailed Account of the Seizure
The airplane, identified as a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was allegedly purchased from a Florida-based company and illegally exported to Venezuela in April 2023. According to the Justice Department, the plane was used almost exclusively for Maduro’s travels, flying to and from a military base in Venezuela. The plane's last recorded flight was in March, traveling from Caracas to Santo Domingo.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the aircraft was seized because it was purchased illegally through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States. The Dominican Republic’s Attorney General’s Office received an order in May from a national court to immobilize the plane at the request of the US, which cited evidence of fraud, smuggling, and money laundering.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader confirmed that the plane was not registered under the Venezuelan government’s name but under an individual’s name. This discrepancy adds another layer of complexity to the already tense situation between the US and Venezuela.
Reactions from Venezuela and the US
The Venezuelan government has condemned the seizure as an act of “piracy” and accused the US of escalating aggression following Maduro’s contested presidential election in July. The government’s statement accuses the US of using its economic and military power to intimidate countries like the Dominican Republic into collaborating with its actions.
US officials have defended the seizure as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the flow of illicit funds to the Maduro regime. Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, stated that the plane was seized due to violations of US sanctions and other criminal matters. The US has been investigating corruption in the Venezuelan government for years, seizing dozens of luxury vehicles and other assets.
The Venezuelan government's statement further criticizes the US for what it sees as a disregard for international law, claiming that the seizure is an example of the US imposing a “rules-based order” that disregards international norms.
Broader Context of US-Venezuela Relations
The seizure of Maduro’s airplane is the latest in a series of actions by the US aimed at pressuring the Venezuelan government. Earlier this year, the US reimposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector following the controversial reelection of Maduro. The US has also called for the immediate release of specific data regarding Venezuela’s presidential election, citing concerns about its credibility.
Venezuela’s opposition has released more than 80% of voting tallies, which appear to show that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won the election. This has added to the political turmoil in the country, with millions fleeing Venezuela due to poor economic conditions, food shortages, and limited access to healthcare.
The US has been actively pursuing corruption cases against the Maduro regime. In March 2020, the US Department of Justice charged Maduro and 14 other Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and corruption. The State Department has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.
Conclusion
The seizure of Nicolas Maduro’s airplane by the United States in the Dominican Republic highlights the ongoing tensions between the two countries. The US has justified the action as part of its efforts to enforce sanctions and combat corruption within the Venezuelan government.
The Venezuelan government, on the other hand, has denounced the seizure as an act of piracy and a further escalation of aggression. This incident is likely to have significant implications for the already strained relationship between the US and Venezuela, as well as for the broader political and economic situation in the region. With millions of Venezuelans fleeing the country due to economic hardship and political instability, the situation remains a key concern for international observers.
