US Seizes Venezuelan President’s Private Plane Over Export Control Violations

The United States has taken possession of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s private plane, citing export control violations. The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was owned by an American company and allegedly smuggled into Venezuela.

The US Department of Justice announced the seizure, stating that the aircraft was illegally exported from the United States for use by Maduro and his associates. The purchase price of the aircraft is estimated at $13 million.

According to reports, Maduro’s associates purchased the aircraft from a company in South Florida between 2022 and 2023, and then attempted to cover up the transaction. The aircraft had been in the Dominican Republic for several months before being transferred to Florida.

The Dominican Republic government has distanced itself from Venezuela, refusing to recognize Maduro’s third term and suspending flights between Santo Domingo and Caracas.

US officials have described the plane as “Venezuela’s Air Force One” and stated that the seizure sends a strong message. The US government has imposed extensive economic sanctions on Venezuela, citing unfair presidential elections and the suppression of innocent political prisoners.

The US government is demanding that the Venezuelan National Electoral Commission verify the transparency of the vote counting in relation to the July 28 presidential election, which officially confirmed President Maduro’s third term. Additional sanctions on Venezuela are also possible.

In response, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has protested the seizure, describing it as a “piracy-like act.” Foreign Minister Ivan Hill has stated that the US has committed a crime that can only be described as piracy, and that the seizure is an attempt to justify unilaterally imposed coercive measures.