US Seizes Plane Used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Illegal Purchase and Export

The United States government has confiscated an airplane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. American officials say the plane was illegally purchased in the United States through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States in contravention of export control laws.

Photo: Chiara Coetzee on Flickr. A plane of the same model as the seized aircraft.

According to the U.S. investigation, in late 2022 and early 2023, persons affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft (which at the time was valued at approximately $13 million) from a company based in the Southern District of Florida.

The aircraft was then illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023.

Seizure and Investigation

The Dassault Falcon 900EX was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the custody of federal officials in Florida, the Justice Department said Monday.

Tracking data available online showed the plane leaving La Isabela airport near the capital Santo Domingo on Monday, arriving at Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida soon after.

Although the bulletin does not say exactly where and how the plane was seized by US agents, it does mention “invaluable assistance by the authorities in the Dominican Republic.”

However, the Dominican Republic government clarified that it had no involvement in the investigation of the plane, which was seized by U.S. authorities.

International Reaction

Meanwhile the Cuban government, which is somewhat allied to Venezuela, said that the seizure was illegal and was an act of piracy.

The US Department of Commerce also weighed in, saying that the seizure sends a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset.

Background

The plane, registered to San Marino, was widely used by Maduro for foreign travel, including for trips earlier this year to Guyana and Cuba.

In March, it flew to the Dominican Republic, along with a Venezuelan-registered plane, for what was believed to be maintenance, never to leave again.

The U.S. has sanctioned 55 Venezuelan-registered planes belonging to state-owned oil giant PDVSA.

The Venezuelan government’s centralized press office did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment Monday.

Conclusion

The seizure of the plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sends a strong message about the U.S. commitment to enforcing its export control laws and holding accountable those who violate them.

FAQs

Q: What is the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft?
A: The Dassault Falcon 900EX is a luxury business jet that was illegally purchased and exported from the United States to Venezuela.

Q: Who is responsible for the illegal purchase and export of the plane?
A: According to the U.S. investigation, persons affiliated with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase and export of the plane.

Q: What is the significance of the plane’s seizure?
A: The seizure of the plane sends a strong message about the U.S. commitment to enforcing its export control laws and holding accountable those who violate them.

Q: What is the current status of the plane?
A: The plane has been seized by U.S. authorities and is currently in custody in Florida.