International

Maduro Grounded: US Confiscates Presidential Plane

Published

4 months ago

Sep 2, 2024.

US authorities have seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, alleging it was purchased illegally and smuggled out of the country.

The Falcon 900EX aircraft was intercepted in the Dominican Republic and transferred to Florida, leaving Maduro’s government scrambling for answers.

According to US officials, the plane was bought for $13 million through a shell company in the Caribbean, violating US export control and sanctions laws.

The investigation revealed that individuals linked to Maduro had attempted to conceal their involvement in the purchase and export of the aircraft.

The seizure is the latest move by the US to pressure Maduro’s government, which has been accused of corruption and misgovernance.

A White House spokesperson hailed the operation as “an important step” to hold Maduro accountable.

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US Attorney Markenzy Lapointe praised the Dominican Republic’s assistance in the seizure, while Matthew S Axelrod from the Department of Commerce vowed to relentlessly pursue and return any illegally smuggled aircraft.

The plane’s journey has been shrouded in mystery, with tracking data showing it leaving La Isabela airport in the Dominican Republic and arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Its subsequent movements suggest it was used by Maduro for international visits.

This is not the first time Maduro has faced scrutiny from US federal authorities. In 2020, he was charged with narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking, among other offenses.

A $15 million reward remains on offer for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

As tensions between the US and Venezuela escalate, the seizure of Maduro’s plane serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of alleged corruption and misgovernance.

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