The United States has seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s airplane, citing violations of U.S. sanctions and other criminal issues.
The aircraft, described as Venezuela’s equivalent to Air Force One, was flown to Florida on Monday.
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This seizure, executed in the Dominican Republic, represents a major escalation in the strained U.S.-Venezuela relationship and ongoing investigations into alleged corruption by Maduro’s government.
The Justice Department stated that the plane was purchased illegally from a Florida company and smuggled out in April 2023 through the Caribbean.
It was allegedly bought for $13 million via a shell company.
The aircraft has been used predominantly for military and international travel. U.S. officials are now pursuing forfeiture and collecting evidence from the plane.
This development highlights the U.S. commitment to challenging the Venezuelan regime’s corruption and illicit activities.
The seizure follows a pattern of U.S. efforts to disrupt billions in funds flowing to Venezuela and reflects broader geopolitical tensions, particularly in light of recent sanctions reimposed on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector and concerns about the legitimacy of Maduro’s reelection.
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