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In an exclusive revelation, the United States has taken possession of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s aircraft while it was in the Dominican Republic. The seizure occurred in Florida on Monday after officials from the US uncovered violations of US sanctions and other criminal activities.
This action is part of the ongoing investigation into corruption within the Venezuelan government. It represents yet another flashpoint in the strained relationship between the US and Venezuela, sending a strong message that even the highest-ranking officials are not immune to the reach of the law and US sanctions.
Speaking to CNN, a US official stated, “This sends a message all the way up to the top. Seizing a foreign leader’s aircraft for illegal activities is a rare occurrence. We are conveying a clear message that no one, regardless of their position, is above the law or US sanctions.”
The plane in question has been referred to as Venezuela’s version of Air Force One and has been used by Maduro during his international trips. However, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader clarified that the aircraft seized in the US was registered under an individual’s name, not the Venezuelan government’s.
Roberto Álvarez, the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic, revealed that a national court had issued an order in May for the plane’s immobilization. The US, in cooperation with Dominican authorities, requested the plane be detained to investigate potential evidence related to fraudulent activities, smuggling of illicit goods, and money laundering.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that the Justice Department took possession of an aircraft that was allegedly purchased illegally for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the US for use by Nicolás Maduro and his associates.
According to the Justice Department, the Dassault Falcon 900EX was purchased in Florida and illicitly transferred to Venezuela over the Caribbean in April 2023. Maduro primarily used the jet to fly between a military base in Venezuela and destinations for international travel.
Flight records indicate that the plane’s most recent trip was from Caracas to Santo Domingo in March before it was seized by US authorities.
In response to the seizure, Venezuela accused the US of “piracy” and condemned what they perceived as an act of aggression against Maduro’s government following a contentious presidential election in July.
The statement from Venezuela’s foreign office read, “Once again, US authorities, engaging in a recurring criminal practice that can only be described as piracy, have unlawfully taken possession of an aircraft used by the president of the Republic. They justify this action through coercive measures that they illegally and unilaterally impose globally.”
Critics claim that the US is using its economic and military might to pressure countries like the Dominican Republic into compliance with its objectives, thereby disregarding international law and imposing a form of might-makes-right mentality.
The US has been actively working against the Venezuelan government in recent years to prevent the dictatorship from accessing billions of dollars. Initially, investigations by the US authorities have led to the confiscation of numerous high-value assets, including cars, heading to Venezuela.
According to Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury, the aircraft seizure was a result of violations of US sanctions against Venezuela and ongoing criminal investigations.
A senior Dominican official informed CNN that Maduro’s plane was within Dominican territory for repairs when it was seized by US agents. The government of the Dominican Republic was reportedly unaware of the presence of Maduro’s private jet in the country until it was confiscated.
Collaborating closely with Dominican authorities, US officials also notified Venezuela about the seizure of the aircraft.
The operation involved multiple US agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations, Commerce agents, the Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Justice Department. The Dominican Republic confirmed that only “international legal cooperation” was under bilateral agreements, clarifying that they did not participate in the US investigation.
Following its arrival in the US, Venezuelan authorities may pursue forfeiture orders and gather additional evidence related to aviation.
Questions around the legitimacy of Maduro’s election victory have led to increased scrutiny from the US, with demands for Venezuela to swiftly provide presidential election data.
The opposition in Venezuela has disclosed over 80% of voting machine tallies, suggesting that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia could have won the election, although conclusive evidence is still pending.
As millions of Venezuelans flee the economic hardships, food shortages, and healthcare crises in their homeland, many have sought refuge at the US-Mexico border, impacting US immigration policies.
The refusal of Maduro’s government to hold an inclusive and competitive election prompted the US to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas industry earlier this year.
In March 2020, the US Department of Justice charged Maduro and 14 Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and corruption. The then-Attorney General William Barr accused Maduro and his associates of conspiring with the FARC, a Colombian guerrilla group, to flood American communities with cocaine.
In offering a bounty of $15 million for Maduro’s arrest or conviction, the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has escalated efforts to bring the Venezuelan leader to justice.
In a separate legal case, two nephews of Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, were sentenced to 18 years in a New York City federal court in 2017 for attempting to smuggle up to 800 kg of cocaine into the US on a private plane. These individuals were subsequently released in 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange agreement.
Referring to the corrupt practices of Venezuelan officials, a US source stressed, “We see these officials and the Maduro regime basically fleecing the Venezuelan people for their own gain. People can’t afford bread, but the Venezuelan president jets around in a high-class private jet.”
Venezuela has witnessed one of the largest migratory waves in the Western Hemisphere, with 7.7 million people leaving the country due to economic struggles, food shortages, and healthcare deficiencies.
