The United States has seized the plane of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the Justice Department said on Monday.
An investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) discovered the plane in the Dominican Republic, a source said.
After the US government seized the plane, it was flown to Florida on Monday, the source said. Maduro was not on board, the source said.
The aircraft is the Venezuelan equivalent of Air Force One and, according to flight documents, is a Dassault 900.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro gestures as he delivers a speech at a rally in Caracas, August 28, 2024.
Pedro Rances Mattey/AFP via Getty Images
“This morning, the Department of Justice seized an aircraft that we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a front 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 Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.”
The senior HSI agent in Miami also praised the seizure.
The United States seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and brought it to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on September 2, 2024.
WPLG
“The seizure of this aircraft is another important action by Homeland Security Investigations in collaboration with our domestic and international partners against the illegal activities of the Maduro regime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami.
Officials stand in front of a plane that authorities say belongs to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on September 2, 2024.
Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Previously, a spokesman for the US National Security Council confirmed the seizure of “an aircraft used by Maduro and his representatives”.
“As numerous independent sources confirm, Maduro and his proxies manipulated the results of the July 28 presidential election last month, falsely claimed victory and carried out widespread repression to maintain power by force,” the spokesman said.
Officials remove boxes marked as evidence from a plane that authorities say belongs to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on September 2, 2024.
Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“Last week, one of the rectors of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council confirmed that Maduro has not presented any evidence that he won this election. The United States is working in coordination with our partners to ensure that the will of the Venezuelan people, as expressed in the July 28 elections, is respected,” the spokesman said.
“Today, the U.S. Department of Justice took action to enforce U.S. sanctions – seizing an aircraft used by Maduro and his proxies. This is an important step to ensure that Maduro continues to face the consequences of his mismanagement in Venezuela,” the spokesman said.
CNN was the first media outlet to report on the seizure of the plane.
