Exclusive: United States Seizes Venezuelan Dominican Republic President Nicolas Maduro’s Aircraft

In a surprising turn of events, the United States has confiscated the private jet belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for alleged violations of US sanctions and other criminal activities. The aircraft arrived in Florida on Monday, adding another chapter to the ongoing tension between Venezuela and the US over alleged corruption in the Venezuelan government.

“This sends a message all the way up to the top,” a US official told CNN. It is extremely rare to seize a foreign leader’s jet, but in this case, the US is determined to show that no one, regardless of their position, is above the law or beyond the reach of US sanctions.

The jet in question is often referred to as Venezuela’s Air Force One and has been used by Maduro for various international state trips. However, the government of the Dominican Republic, where the jet was seized, claimed that the aircraft was actually registered under the name of an individual rather than the Venezuelan government.

The Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister, Roberto Álvarez, revealed that a national court had ordered the jet to be immobilized back in May. The US had requested the immobilization to search for evidence related to fraudulent activities, smuggling of illicit goods, and money laundering.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Justice Department had seized the aircraft, which was allegedly purchased illegally for $13 million through a shell company and then smuggled out of the United States for use by Maduro and his associates. The Dassault Falcon 900EX was reportedly transferred to Venezuela via the Caribbean in April 2023 and has been primarily used by Maduro for foreign travel to and from a military base in Venezuela.

Venezuela has condemned the seizure as an act of piracy and accused the US of aggression against Maduro’s administration following a controversial presidential election in July. The Venezuelan government criticized the US for imposing coercive measures and pressuring other nations like the Dominican Republic to cooperate with what it termed as US crimes.

US authorities have made numerous efforts to prevent the Maduro regime from receiving billions of dollars in questionable funds. Homeland Security Investigations, one of the largest federal investigative agencies, have confiscated numerous valuable assets and vehicles destined for Venezuela in recent years.

The confiscation of Maduro’s jet was reportedly related to violations of US sanctions against Venezuela and ongoing criminal investigations, according to Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Anthony Salisbury. A senior official from the Dominican Republic revealed that the aircraft was on Dominican soil for repairs when it was seized by US agents without any prior notification to the Dominican government.

The US Justice Department has been collaborating with various agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, Commerce agents, the Bureau of Industry and Security, and others, to address issues related to corruption and violations of international laws in Venezuela. The Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister emphasized that the country had cooperated with the US regarding international legal matters but did not actively participate in the seizure of the aircraft.

As the situation unfolds, Venezuela may seek to reclaim ownership of the aircraft and respond to the allegations made by the US government. The US has long been critical of Maduro’s administration and has urged Venezuela to share election data following doubts about the legitimacy of the results. Critics argue that the opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, might have won the disputed presidential election.

With millions of Venezuelans fleeing the country due to economic hardships and political unrest, the issue has become a focal point in US foreign policy. The US has reimposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas industry and has been working to combat corruption and drug trafficking within the country.

It is clear that the US is committed to holding the Maduro regime accountable for its alleged crimes and ensuring that justice is served. As Venezuelans continue to suffer from a deteriorating economy and social unrest, the international community must work together to address the root causes of the crisis and seek a peaceful resolution for the people of Venezuela.