US Govt Seizes Plane Used By Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Citing Sanctions Violations

The United States has seized Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s private jet, with officials saying its acquisition was a violation of US sanctions and citing other "criminal issues" as well, CNN has reported. According to the report, the US Justice Department has said the plane was purchased through a shell company and smuggled out of the US in violation of sanctions and export laws.

The Dassault Falcon 900EX, the Associated Press reported, was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the custody of federal US officials in Florida. In April 2023, the plane was allegedly illegally exported from the US to Venezuela through the Caribbean. CNN reported that its last flight was in March, from Caracas to the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo.

The plane has been described as Venezuela’s equivalent to the US President's Air Force One, and pictured during state visits by Maduro around the world, CNN reported. US officials said seizing the plane of a country’s head was “unheard of”. “We’re sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions,” an official was quoted as saying by CNN.