The United States seized the plane used by Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolás Maduro after determining that its purchase violated U.S. sanctions, the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated on Sept. 2.
A Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and taken to federal authorities in Florida, according to a statement issued by the DOJ. The aircraft’s purchase circumvented U.S. sanctions because it was bought through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States, according to the statement.
“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,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
The seizure is designed to target individuals “who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States,” Garland said.
Since May 2023, the jet has been flown to and from a Venezuelan military base and “used for the benefit of Maduro” and other officials, according to the DOJ. The plane was used to transport the Venezuelan leader to other countries.
The Venezuelan Embassy in Washington did not respond by publication time to a request for comment. Maduro also has not issued a public statement on the matter.
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