The US has taken control of a plane owned by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, claiming it was bought illegally for $13 million and smuggled out of Venezuela.
According to BBC, the US Justice Department says the plane was seized in the Dominican Republic and moved to Florida.
It’s not clear how the plane ended up in the Dominican Republic, but tracking data shows it left Santo Domingo’s La Isabela airport and arrived in Florida soon after, BBC reports.
Venezuela strongly condemned the move, calling it “piracy.” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized the US for using “coercive measures” that they impose globally, BBC explains.
The Venezuelan government stated it might take legal action in response to this incident.
US officials argue that the plane was illegally bought using a shell company linked to Maduro and smuggled out of the US in violation of export control laws, BBC reports. The plane had been used for trips by Maduro, including to military bases in Venezuela.
The BBC adds that this situation is part of a broader conflict between the US and Maduro, who has long accused the US of interfering in Venezuela’s affairs.
A White House spokesperson emphasized that this action shows Maduro is still facing consequences for his leadership in Venezuela, according to BBC.
Despite this, Maduro has remained defiant, and Venezuela’s opposition claims he lost the last election, a result that the US recognizes, while the European Union and other countries have withheld support for Maduro.
This plane seizure adds to ongoing tensions between Venezuela and the US, BBC concludes.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2np4xl083o