US authorities have seized an aircraft allegedly belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, according to CNN. The plane, described as Venezuela’s equivalent to Air Force One, was taken into custody in the Dominican Republic and flown to Florida on Monday.
The US Justice Department claims the Dassault Falcon 900EX was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States in April 2023. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the aircraft was intended for use by “Nicolás Maduro and his cronies.”
This seizure is part of a broader US effort to disrupt the flow of billions of dollars to the Maduro regime, which Washington has long accused of corruption and human rights abuses. The action involved multiple federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Justice Department.
Venezuelan authorities have denounced the seizure as “piracy” and an escalation of “aggression” following the contested July presidential election. The US has expressed concerns about the credibility of Maduro’s claimed victory in that vote.
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Judge issues arrest warrant for Edmundo Gonzalez
In a related development, a Venezuelan judge has issued an arrest warrant for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who claims to have rightfully won the July election against Maduro. The warrant comes after Gonzalez failed to appear three times to answer questions on charges including conspiracy and falsifying documents related to the election.
The opposition has published its own polling-station results, which it says show Gonzalez winning by a wide margin. However, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, composed mostly of Maduro loyalists, declared Maduro the winner, granting him a third six-year term.
The disputed election has led to mass protests in Venezuela, resulting in at least 27 deaths and 192 injuries as of Monday. The international community, including the United States, has largely rejected the official election results, with the US going so far as to recognize Gonzalez as the victor.
Also read: Maduro’s ‘Win’ Questioned: Venezuelans Cry Foul Over Election
Amid growing pressure, Maduro requested an audit of the electoral process from the country’s high court, a move criticized by foreign observers who question the court’s independence. The Supreme Tribunal of Justice, also composed mostly of Maduro loyalists, certified his victory on August 22.
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