The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the United States seized a plane in the Dominican Republic that was used by Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The DOJ stated that the purchase of the aircraft violated U.S. sanctions.
Attorney General Merrick Garland revealed that the Dassault Falcon 900EX was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and then smuggled out of the United States for Maduro’s use.
The aircraft was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and transferred to federal officials in Florida. U.S. authorities emphasized that planes acquired unlawfully from the U.S. for sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot escape repercussions.
There has been no response from the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington or from Maduro regarding the seizure of the plane.
This action signifies a heightening of tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela following the disputed July elections, which the U.S. Department of State categorized as fraudulent. Opposition leaders and protesters have alleged election fraud, leading to a crackdown that extended into August.
The State Department declared Maduro’s victory without evidence and instead found that Edmundo González Urrutia received the most votes in Venezuela’s presidential election. Maduro has since resorted to repression to maintain power amidst widespread protests.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuelan individuals and entities involved in criminal activities or human rights violations, with stricter measures enforced under the Trump administration. Additionally, Maduro and other Venezuelan officials were charged with drug trafficking and corruption in March 2020.
The U.S. has sanctioned 55 Venezuelan-registered planes linked to the state-owned oil company PDVSA and offered a $15 million reward for Maduro’s arrest on federal drug trafficking charges.
Contrary to media reports, the State Department denied offering Maduro amnesty in exchange for relinquishing power peacefully. The U.S. is exploring ways to pressure Maduro for a democratic transition in Venezuela but has ruled out offering amnesty.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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