Source – gaydio.co.uk
The United States has seized a private jet used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, citing violations of U.S. sanctions and other criminal activities. The Maduros Private Jet, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was apprehended in the Dominican Republic and flown to Florida on Monday. This move marks a significant escalation in the already tense relations between the U.S. and Venezuela, reflecting the U.S.’s ongoing efforts to crack down on what it perceives as corrupt practices by the Venezuelan government.
U.S. officials have described the aircraft as Venezuela’s equivalent to Air Force One, highlighting its significance in Maduro’s international travels. According to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, the plane was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the U.S. for use by Maduro and his close associates. The Maduros Private Jet had been used almost exclusively for flights to and from a military base in Venezuela, with its last registered flight recorded in March, from Caracas to Santo Domingo.
Dominican Republic’s Role and Venezuelan Response
The Dominican Republic played a crucial role in the seizure, although the country’s government was not directly involved in the U.S. investigation. President Luis Abinader confirmed that the plane was not registered under the Venezuelan government but in an individual’s name. Dominican authorities had received an order in May to “immobilize” the plane following a U.S. request to search it for evidence of fraud, smuggling, and money laundering.
In response, the Venezuelan government condemned the seizure as an act of “piracy” and accused the U.S. of escalating its aggression toward Maduro’s administration. They argued that the U.S. had exerted undue pressure on the Dominican Republic to cooperate in what they called a criminal act, criticizing Washington’s use of its economic and military power to intimidate smaller nations.
What’s behind the U.S. seizure of Nicolás Maduro’s plane
Long-Standing U.S. Efforts Against Venezuelan Corruption
The seizure of Maduros Private Jet is part of a broader effort by U.S. federal agencies to disrupt the flow of illicit funds to the Venezuelan government. For years, the U.S. has targeted assets linked to Maduro’s regime, seizing luxury vehicles and other high-value items. Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, emphasized that the seizure was a result of violations of U.S. sanctions and ongoing criminal investigations.
The U.S. has been actively pursuing measures to hold the Maduro government accountable for corruption and human rights abuses. This includes reimposing sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector following Maduro’s controversial reelection in July 2024. The political and economic turmoil in Venezuela has led to a massive exodus, with over 7.7 million people fleeing the country, many of whom have sought refuge in the U.S.
As the situation unfolds, the U.S. is expected to pursue forfeiture of the seized Maduros Private Jet, with the Venezuelan government given the opportunity to petition for its return. This development further strains the already fragile relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela, with both countries entrenched in a long-standing dispute over corruption, human rights, and the rule of law.
