Tengrinews.kz - The United States has confiscated Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's aircraft in the Dominican Republic and transported it to Florida.
According to CNN and two american officials, this action was taken after it was determined that the aircraft's acquisition violated U.S. sanctions and was linked to other criminal activities. The plane had been used by Maduro on various state visits around the world.
"This sends a message to the top: the seizure of a foreign leader's aircraft in connection with criminal activities is unprecedented. We are sending a clear message that no one is above the law and beyond the reach of U.S. sanctions," one US official told the news outlet.
The situation in Venezuela has significantly influenced U.S. policy, as millions of Venezuelans are fleeing the country, with many heading towards the U.S.-Mexico border. For years, U.S. authorities have sought to disrupt the flow of billions of dollars to Caracas. Investigators from the Department of Homeland Security, the second-largest investigative agency in the federal government, have seized dozens of luxury items, including vehicles bound for Venezuela.
The Dassault Falcon 900 aircraft, valued at approximately $13 million, had been in the Dominican Republic in recent months. Multiple federal agencies, including the investigative division of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Commerce, the Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Department of Justice, were involved in the seizure.
U.S. officials closely collaborated with Dominican authorities, who notified Caracas of the confiscation.
This event follows the U.S. recognition of 74-year-old opposition candidate Edmundo González as the winner of the Venezuelan presidential election, rejecting incumbent President Maduro's claims of victory. The election took place on July 28, with Maduro having ruled Venezuela since 2013.
