The United States has seized an aircraft belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, citing violations of US sanctions and other criminal concerns. The Dassault Falcon 900EX, likened to Venezuela’s Air Force One, was captured in the Dominican Republic and flown to Florida.

The seizure marks a significant escalation in the US-Venezuela tensions, reflecting ongoing investigations into alleged corrupt practices by Maduro’s government.

US officials claim the plane was purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the US. The Dominican Republic’s President noted the plane was registered under an individual’s name, not the Venezuelan government’s. The US Justice Department is pursuing forfeiture of the aircraft and collecting evidence related to fraud, smuggling, and money laundering.

The Venezuelan government condemned the seizure as “piracy” and an example of US aggression. This incident is part of broader US efforts to disrupt Venezuelan government assets and has implications for US-Venezuelan relations, particularly after a controversial election in Venezuela and recent reimposed sanctions on its oil and gas sector.