The U.S. government has confiscated an aircraft linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the Dominican Republic, invoking sanctions laws, according to an announcement by the Department of Justice on Monday.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, “Today, we have taken possession of an aircraft that was allegedly purchased for $13 million through a front company and then illegally transported out of the United States for the use of Nicolás Maduro and his associates.”
Garland emphasized the ongoing commitment of the Justice Department to enforce sanctions and export controls, saying, “We will relentlessly pursue those who violate our sanctions to ensure they cannot exploit American resources to compromise our national security.”
The seized aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was taken in the Dominican Republic and subsequently moved to the Southern District of Florida at the U.S. government’s request. The action was based on violations of U.S. export control and sanctions regulations, as detailed in the Justice Department’s statement.
This seizure marks another escalation in the already strained relations between the United States and Venezuela, coming shortly after Maduro’s re-election. The U.S. has long pursued a strategy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against Maduro’s administration in an effort to bolster opposition leaders.
An Executive Order from August 2019 prohibits U.S. citizens from engaging in transactions with individuals who have acted directly or indirectly on behalf of the Venezuelan government. This order has been a key component of the U.S. sanctions framework against Venezuela.
In March 2020, the Justice Department filed narco-terrorism charges against Maduro and several of his top officials, accusing them of collaborating with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to smuggle large quantities of cocaine into the U.S., causing significant harm to American communities. The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.
In a related development on Monday, Venezuelan authorities ordered the arrest of presidential candidate Edmundo González. He faces multiple charges, including forgery of public documents, incitement to disobey laws, conspiracy, and sabotage, as reported by Bloomberg.