US seizes Venezuela leader Maduro's plane: Video
The U.S. government seized a private jet belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday, September 2, accusing him of violating U.S. sanctions.
The Dassault Falcon 900EX was taken from the Dominican Republic and flown to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AFP reported.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said the jet was bought for $13 million through a shell company and illegally exported to Venezuela. Maduro and his officials have used the plane and have frequently travelled to a military base in Venezuela since May.
Flight Radar 24 tracked the plane’s journey from Santo Domingo to Fort Lauderdale. The U.S. claims that in late 2022 and early 2023, people connected to Maduro used a shell company in the Caribbean to conceal their involvement in the jet’s illegal purchase.
The seizure comes amid unrest in Venezuela following the controversial July 28 presidential election. Maduro was declared the winner, but the election results are disputed, with widespread protests leading to at least 27 deaths and over 192 injuries.
