In a significant escalation of tensions between the United States and Venezuela, US authorities have seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, in the Dominican Republic. The plane was subsequently flown to Florida on Monday, September 2nd, 2024. This action underscores the ongoing frosty relationship between the two nations and highlights the US's commitment to enforcing sanctions and combating corruption within the Venezuelan government.
The seizure took place while the aircraft was undergoing maintenance in the Dominican Republic. According to US officials, the plane was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States in April 2023. It had been used by Maduro for international travels, often flying to and from a military base in Venezuela.
The Dominican Republic's President Luis Abinader clarified that the plane was not registered under the Venezuelan government's name but rather under an individual's name. The country's Foreign Minister, Roberto Álvarez, stated that the Dominican Attorney General's Office had received an order last May to immobilize the plane at the request of the US, which sought to search it for evidence linked to fraud, smuggling, and money laundering.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the Justice Department seized the aircraft due to its illegal acquisition and use by Maduro and his associates. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other federal agencies were involved in the operation, working closely with Dominican authorities who notified Venezuela of the seizure.
The Venezuelan government condemned the action as "piracy" and accused the US of escalating aggression following Maduro's contested reelection on July 28th. They argued that the US uses its economic and military power to intimidate and pressure other states into compliance.
This incident is part of a broader effort by the US to disrupt the flow of illicit proceeds to the Maduro regime. Over recent years, HSI has disrupted $2 billion worth of the Venezuelan government's assets, including luxury vehicles and bank accounts. The State Department has also offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro's arrest or conviction.
The situation in Venezuela remains dire, with poor economic conditions, food shortages, and limited access to healthcare pushing over 7.7 million people to flee the country, marking the largest displacement in the Western Hemisphere. The US continues to press for transparency and credibility in Venezuela's electoral processes, further straining relations between the two countries.
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