US authorities seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's plane and flew it to Florida on Monday, two US officials told CNN.
US authorities seized the plane in the Dominican Republic after determining it was violating sanctions, news agencies reported. Reported.
According to a statement from Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Department of Justice has reportedly “seized an aircraft that was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and allegedly smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies.”
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According to CNN, the plane had been in the Dominican Republic for several months before it was seized. The outlet reported that US authorities had worked with local authorities in the operation. The Dominican Republic reportedly notified Venezuela about the seizure. The outlet described the plane as the Venezuelan version of Air Force One.
“This sends a message all the way up,” a US official told CNN. “It is unprecedented to seize a foreign head of state's plane on a criminal matter. We are sending a clear message here that no one is above the law or exempt from US sanctions.”
US authorities are seeking the seizure of the assets, which could give Venezuela the opportunity to ask for the plane's return, CNN reported. Charged President Maduro was arrested in March 2020 along with 14 other former and current Venezuelan government officials on suspicion of involvement in narco-terrorism, corruption and other illegal activities.
Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have worsened further over allegations that President Maduro's re-election on July 28 was fraudulent. (Related article: Massive protests erupt in Venezuela as voters reject incumbent dictator's questionable election victory)
Maduro temporarily suspended access to X for 10 days and accused the platform's owner, Elon Musk, of inciting anti-government forces. Musk said: [the rules]”They are tormenting the Venezuelan people by inciting hatred, fascism, civil war, death and conflict among the Venezuelan people,” the Venezuelan leader claimed.
