US authorities have seized a $13 million Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft, allegedly bought for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in violation of sanctions.
The plane was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and transported to Florida.
The Department of Justice stated that the aircraft was purchased through a shell company to evade US sanctions.
Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that the plane had been illegally acquired and smuggled out of the US, violating sanctions imposed in 2019 that restrict transactions with Maduro’s government.
The Department of Commerce’s Matthew Axelrod emphasized the commitment to returning illegally smuggled aircraft.
The plane, purchased from a Florida-based company, was reportedly used for Maduro’s foreign trips and flew frequently to a Venezuelan military base.
Venezuela’s government condemned the seizure as “piracy.”
The US has intensified sanctions against Venezuela following contested elections in July, where Maduro claimed victory amid allegations of fraud.
The Biden administration had previously relaxed some sanctions to encourage fair elections but reimposed them after further allegations of misconduct.
