On Monday morning (September 2), US federal authorities seized a plane frequently used by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in South Florida, as part of an enforcement action in response to US sanctions on his government.
Prior to this, the US had determined that the purchase of the aircraft violated US sanctions. The seizure operation was carried out by several federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Commerce. The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was responsible for transporting the plane back to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Florida from the Dominican Republic.
Known as the “Air Force One” of Venezuela, President Maduro has used this aircraft for official visits multiple times.
A US official told CNN that this action sends a message to the top echelons of Venezuela. “Seizing the aircraft of a foreign head of state in a criminal case is unheard of. We are sending a clear message: no one is above the law, and no one can escape US sanctions.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland stated in a release, “The Department of Justice seized an aircraft that we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for the use of Nicolás Maduro and his cronies.”
The Department of Justice stated that the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft was purchased from a company in Florida and illegally exported to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023, “almost exclusively used for trips between Venezuela and a military base and for Maduro’s international travel.”
This incident marks the escalation of US investigations into corruption within the Venezuelan government.
The US has recently increased pressure on the Venezuelan government, demanding an “immediate” release of specific data regarding the presidential election, citing concerns about the credibility of Maduro’s victory.
Maduro declared his reelection at the end of July, but opposition parties and media analysis provided substantial evidence of electoral fraud.
The situation in Venezuela has repercussions on US politics, as millions of people have fled Venezuela, with many choosing to go to the US-Mexico border.
The aircraft had been in the Dominican Republic in recent months. After Maduro announced his reelection, Venezuela suspended all commercial flights between the Dominican Republic. While US officials did not disclose specific reasons, this provided an opportunity to seize the aircraft.
A US official told CNN that the Dominican Republic has closely cooperated with US officials and informed Venezuela about the seizure.
Upon arrival in the US, one of the next steps will be to file for forfeiture (allowing the Venezuelan government to make a claim) and collect evidence from the aircraft.
This is not the first time the US has taken possession of aircraft related to Venezuela. According to the Miami Herald, earlier this year, the US government took custody of a Boeing cargo plane in the Miami area. The plane was sold by a sanctioned Iranian airline to a Venezuelan company, violating federal export control laws.
The 747-300M aircraft flew from Argentina to Miami in February under the ownership of Mahan Air, a company targeted by the US government for supporting the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards-Quds Force.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards-Quds Force is a branch of the Iranian military designated by the US as a terrorist organization.
Federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, have long been targeting corruption within the Venezuelan government. A US official told CNN that in recent years, Homeland Security Investigations has intercepted illicit gains or resources worth $2 billion related to the Venezuelan government, including judgments, seizures, and bank account liquidations.
In March 2020, the US Department of Justice issued charges against Maduro and 14 current and former Venezuelan officials, including drug terrorism, drug trafficking, and corruption.
Then-Attorney General William Barr said, “For over two decades, Maduro and several high-ranking accomplices were involved in a conspiracy with the FARC, leading to a significant influx of cocaine that devastated American communities.”
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the US Department of State has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.
Earlier this year, the US reimposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas industry due to Maduro’s government failing to hold “inclusive and competitive elections.”