Recent reports indicate that the U.S. has seized a private jet owned by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The move has sharply escalated international tensions. With this dramatic development capturing global attention, many are now wondering about what exactly happened.
So, here’s everything to know about the U.S. seizing Venezuelan President Maduro’s plane.
US seizes Venezuelan President’s plane
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the U.S. seized a private jet owned by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. US claims that the aircraft was bought unlawfully for $13 million and transported illegally. Authorities intercepted the Falcon 900EX in the Dominican Republic and then transported it to Florida. The exact circumstances surrounding its transfer to the Dominican Republic remain uncertain. However, flight tracking data reveals it left La Isabela Airport near Santo Domingo and landed in Fort Lauderdale (via BBC).
Venezuela has sharply criticized the action, denouncing it as an act of “piracy” and accusing the U.S. of enforcing unjust sanctions. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil expressed the government’s intent to seek redress for what they consider a violation of national sovereignty.
The U.S. authorities have defended the seizure, citing violations of export control and sanctions laws. They claim that Maduro’s associates used a Caribbean-based shell company to obscure their role in purchasing the aircraft from a Florida-based firm and then illegally exporting it to Venezuela in April 2023. U.S. officials argue that this seizure is part of their broader effort to enforce international sanctions and hold Maduro accountable for his regime’s actions.
The situation has intensified tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. Maduro’s administration has accused Washington of meddling in Venezuela’s internal affairs. The seizure further highlights the ongoing conflict between the two nations, particularly as Venezuela recently suspended commercial flights to the Dominican Republic and Panama following Maduro’s controversial re-election.
