The US has seized a aircraft belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro – claiming it was purchased illegally for $13m (£9.8m) and smuggled overseas.
Based on the US justice division, the Falcon 900EX plane was seized within the Dominican Republic and transferred to the US state of Florida.
It’s unclear how and when the aircraft ended up within the Dominican Republic. Monitoring information confirmed it leaving La Isabela airport close to the capital Santo Domingo on Monday, arriving at Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida quickly after.
There was no rapid remark from Mr Maduro or the Venezuelan authorities over the matter.
US officers mentioned the aircraft was seized for suspected violations of US export management and sanctions legal guidelines.
They added that an investigation discovered that folks affiliated with Mr Maduro had allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell firm to cover their involvement within the aircraft’s unlawful buy from an organization based mostly in Florida in late 2022 and early 2023.
The plane was then illegally exported from america to Venezuela by way of the Caribbean in April 2023.
A spokesperson for the White Home nationwide safety council mentioned the motion represented “an necessary step to make sure that Maduro continues to really feel the results from his misgovernance of Venezuela”.
Markenzy Lapointe, US lawyer for the Southern District of Florida mentioned the Dominican Republic authorities had given the US authorities “invaluable help” in organising the seizure.
“It doesn’t matter how fancy the non-public jet or how highly effective the officers – we are going to work relentlessly with our companions right here and throughout the globe to determine and return any plane illegally smuggled outdoors of america,” mentioned Matthew S Axelrod from the division of commerce – one of many federal businesses concerned within the operation to recuperate the aircraft.
The aircraft gave the impression to be flown to the Venezuelan capital Caracas after arriving in Kingston in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in April 2023, in keeping with information held by the Flightradar24 web site.
US officers mentioned it subsequently flew “nearly completely to and from a army base in Venezuela”. It’s unclear how and when the aircraft arrived within the Dominican Republic.
However officers mentioned the jet had been utilized by Mr Maduro “on visits to different international locations”.
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