US Seizes Venezuelan President’s Private Jet Amid Escalating Tensions

The US government seizes Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s private jet, escalating tensions between the two nations.

At a Glance

US authorities seized a $13 million Dassault Falcon 900EX jet belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
The plane was allegedly purchased through a Caribbean-based shell company and smuggled out of the US
The seizure comes amid disputed Venezuelan presidential election results and ongoing US sanctions
Venezuela denounces the action as “piracy” and threatens legal action

US Confiscates Maduro’s Jet in Dominican Republic

In a bold move, US authorities have seized a private jet belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft, valued at approximately $13 million, was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and subsequently transported to Florida. This action marks a significant escalation in the already tense relations between the United States and Venezuela.

The US Justice Department claims that individuals linked to Maduro purchased the aircraft through a Caribbean-based shell company and illegally smuggled it out of the United States. The plane, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, has reportedly been used almost exclusively for flights to and from a military base in Venezuela and for Maduro’s benefit, including his international visits.

#Washington | The #UnitedStates seizes Venezuelan President, #NicolasMaduro's plane in Dominican Republic after determining that its purchase violated US sanctions pic.twitter.com/x08Vz9GbQT

— DD News (@DDNewslive) September 3, 2024

Sanctions and Export Control Violations

The seizure was conducted in cooperation with Dominican Republic authorities, citing violations of US sanctions and export controls. The United States has imposed numerous sanctions on Venezuelan entities and individuals, including Maduro himself, for alleged corruption and human rights abuses.

“Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset,” Matthew Axelrod, an assistant secretary for export enforcement in the Commerce Department, said in a statement.

US officials argue that the plane’s sale and export violated US sanctions. The White House National Security Council stated that this action ensures Maduro feels consequences for his misgovernance. The plane was allegedly flown to Caracas after arriving in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in April 2023.

Venezuela’s Response and Diplomatic Fallout

Venezuela has vehemently denounced the seizure, calling it an act of “piracy.” Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized the US for using coercive measures, stating that Venezuela reserves the right to take legal action to repair the damage. The confiscation occurred shortly after Venezuela’s disputed presidential election, where both Maduro and the main opposition claimed victory.

“Once again, the authorities of the USA…have illegally seized an aircraft that has been used by the president of the Republic, justifying its action in coercive measures that, illegally and unilaterally, they impose around the world.” a statement read.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated there was “overwhelming evidence” that opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in the July 28 election. However, Maduro accused the US of interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs and claimed his country’s election council declared him the winner, though critics argue the council is loyal to Maduro and has not released vote totals.

U. S. government seizes plane used by Venezuelan President, citing sanctions violations https://t.co/BusydjK7Bo

— TIME (@TIME) September 3, 2024

International Reactions and Ongoing Tensions

The European Union and several Latin American countries have withheld support for Maduro’s re-election. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated that while Maduro will remain Venezuela’s de facto president, the EU does not recognize the legitimacy of his reelection claim. This international skepticism further complicates the already strained diplomatic relations between Venezuela and much of the Western world.

The seizure of Maduro’s plane is just the latest in a series of actions taken by the US against the Venezuelan government. In 2020, the US Justice Department charged Maduro and 14 Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. The State Department has even offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.

As tensions continue to escalate, the international community watches closely to see how this bold move by the United States will affect the delicate balance of power in the region and what further actions, if any, will be taken against the Maduro regime.