US Seizes Venezuelan President's Airplane Under Sanction Laws

The US has seized the aircraft of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which was in the Dominican Republic citing sanctions laws, the Justice Department has said.

"This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on Monday.

"The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States, " the attorney general was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying.

The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida "at the request of the US based on violations of US export control and sanctions laws", says the statement.

The incident came just over a month after Maduro's re-election and is the latest chapter in the long-nervy relations between the US and Venezuela.

The US has implemented a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Maduro government in favor of the opposition leaders.
An Executive Order issued in August 2019, prohibits US persons from engaging in transactions "with persons who have acted or purported to act directly or indirectly for or on behalf of, the Government of Venezuela", according to the Justice Department statement.

In March 2020, the Justice Department indicted Maduro and his aides on narco-terrorism charges. It accused Maduro and other Venezuelan officials of conspiring "with the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities".

Meanwhile, the US State Department has offered up to $15 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Maduro.