The US authorities have seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's airplane in the Dominican Republic, CNN reported on Monday, citing US officials.
US authorities claim that the plane was purchased in violation of US sanctions.
According to a US official, as cited by CNN, the United States is "sending a clear message" that nobody is "above the reach of US sanctions."
The airplane was flown to Florida, the report added, citing unnamed officials.
According to preliminary information, Nicolas Maduro was not onboard.
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The United States has confiscated the plane of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, CNN reports. Washington decided that its acquisition was a violation of sanctions. The US arrested the plane in the Dominican Republic and transported it to Florida.
ReplyDeleteOfficials describe the plane as the main flight of the country's president. Photos of him have appeared during Maduro's previous state visits around the world.
The hijacking of the plane of a foreign head of state is unheard of in criminal cases, the TV channel reports. In March 2020, the US Department of Justice indicted Maduro and 14 current and former Venezuelan officials on charges of drug trafficking, drug trafficking and corruption.
Gli Stati Uniti hanno sequestrato l'aereo presidenziale del presidente venezuelano, Nicolaás Maduro, in Repubblica Dominicana.
ReplyDeleteÈ stato portato in Florida. L'aereo violava sanzioni statunitensi.
The US Department of Justice confirmed that the US seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's airplane.
ReplyDelete"The Justice Department today announced the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolas Maduro Moros and persons affiliated with him in Venezuela," the agency said in a statement. "The aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the United States based on violations of US export control and sanctions laws."
"The Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the statement.