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US-guzm Vinzwal Volait Niclous Madwo’s aircraft was seized by the United States after violating US sanctions. The plane arrived in Florida on Monday, according to two US authorities.
The US has been investigating the corruption within the Venezuelan government for some time, and the seizure of Maduro’s aircraft in the Dominican Republic is the latest development in the strained relationship between the two countries.
“This action sends a strong message all the way to the top,” a US official told CNN. Seizing a foreign leader’s aircraft for illegal activities is an uncommon move, and it demonstrates that no one is above the law or US sanctions.
The jet in question has been referred to as Venezuela’s Air Force One and has been used by Maduro for his international trips. However, the Dominican Republic’s President, Luis Abinader, stated that the jet seized on Monday was registered under an individual’s name, not the Venezuelan government.
According to the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister, Roberto Álvarez, a national court had issued an order to “immobilize” the plane back in May. The US requested the immobilization to search for evidence and items related to fraudulent activities, smuggling of illicit goods, and money laundering.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the Justice Department had seized an aircraft that was allegedly illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and then smuggled out of the United States for use by Maduro and his associates.
The Dassault Falcon 900EX, purchased in Florida, was reportedly transferred to Venezuela in April 2023. The US Department of Justice claims that Maduro primarily used the plane for foreign travel, flying it to and from a military base in Venezuela.
The aircraft’s last flight was from Caracas to Santo Domingo in March, as per records.
In response to the seizure, Venezuela characterized it as an act of piracy and accused the US of aggression against Maduro’s administration following a disputed presidential election in July.
The US has faced criticism for using its economic and military power to pressure countries like the Dominican Republic to comply with its objectives. This has raised concerns about the so-called ‘rules-based order’ that eschews international law in favor of might makes right.
Numerous agencies collaborated in the seizure, including Homeland Security Investigations, Commerce agents, the Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Justice Department.
Several US authorities have been working to prevent the Venezuelan dictatorship from receiving billions in illicit funds. Homeland Security Investigations, in particular, has seized numerous high-value assets bound for Venezuela, including luxury vehicles.
According to Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations, the aircraft was confiscated due to violations of US sanctions on Venezuela and ongoing criminal investigations.
A senior Dominican official revealed that Maduro’s plane was in the Dominican Republic for repairs when it was seized by US agents. The Dominican government had no prior knowledge of the aircraft’s presence in the country until it was confiscated.
US authorities closely coordinated with the Dominican Republic, which in turn informed Venezuela of the seizure.
Venezuela has faced additional pressure from the US due to doubts about the legitimacy of Maduro’s reelection. The US has demanded immediate disclosure of election statistics to clarify the situation.
Opposition forces in Venezuela have divulged over 80% of the voting machine counts, suggesting that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia may have won the election. This uncertainty has triggered a new wave of migration from Venezuela to the US-Mexico border.
The Maduro regime’s refusal to hold inclusive and competitive elections led the US to reapply sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector earlier this year. Commercial flights between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic were halted following the disputed election results in July.
US federal agencies like Homeland Security Investigations have long been investigating corruption in Venezuela. HSI has reportedly disrupted around $2 billion in illegal revenues linked to Venezuela through asset seizures, bank account freezes, and court rulings.
In March 2020, the US Department of Justice charged Maduro and 14 other Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and corruption. According to then-Attorney General William Barr, Maduro and his associates collaborated with the FARC to smuggle large quantities of cocaine into the US.
The US State Department is offering a reward of $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction. In a separate case, two nephews of Maduro’s wife were sentenced to 18 years in prison for attempting to transport cocaine into the US on a private plane. They were later released in a prisoner exchange in 2022.
The US source emphasized the exploitation of the Venezuelan people by the Maduro regime, pointing out that while citizens struggle to afford basic necessities, their president travels in luxury on a private jet.
Venezuela has experienced a significant exodus of over 7.7 million people due to economic challenges, food shortages, and healthcare issues. This ongoing crisis has further strained relations between Venezuela and the US, leading to increased scrutiny of Maduro’s administration.
