President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro's Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft has been seized by the US after it was found that the acquisition had breached US sanctions. Flight from the Dominican Republic to Florida was conducted by the jet, which was bought for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States. The Justice Department made public the claim that Maduro and his allies utilized the plane, underscoring the continued pressure exerted by the United States on the Venezuelan administration.
The US was accused of "repeated criminal practices" by the Venezuelan government, which denounced the seizure as "piracy" and unlawful. This move is in line with more extensive U.S. sanctions imposed on Maduro, his allies, and the country's oil industry. The Venezuelan election that was hotly contested on July 28 has also alarmed the United States, which has acknowledged opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner despite opposition charges of electoral fraud.
According to the Justice Department's investigation, those with ties to Maduro obtained the aircraft illegally. The aircraft was purportedly used by Maduro for both official and private travel after it was transferred from the United States to Venezuela via the Caribbean. Attorney General of the United States Merrick Garland stressed that the seizure sends a message against sanctioned officials obtaining assets illegally.
United States officials view the seizure, which was executed in tandem with the Dominican Republic, as a way to sustain pressure on Maduro's administration. The action is a part of bigger steps to address the mismanagement of the Venezuelan administration, the White House National Security Council spokesman reiterated.
This event comes after businessman Alex Saab returned to Venezuela in December after receiving pardon from the United States as part of a prisoner swap. The intense geopolitical relations and global accusations surrounding Venezuela's government are highlighted by the continuous examination of Maduro's administration and the United States' position on the country's elections.
