Welp, this just happened.
We seized Nicolas Maduro's presidential airplane in the Dominican Republic and flew it back to the States. It's now parked in Florida.
Maduro himself, however, was not on the plane, so it's not like we're taking him hostage or anything.
The United States has seized Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro's airplane after determining that its acquisition was in violation of US sanctions, among other criminal issues. The US flew the aircraft to Florida on Monday, according to two US officials.
It's the latest development in what has long been a frosty relationship between the US and Venezuela, and its seizure in the Dominican Republic marks an escalation as the US continues to investigate what it regards as corrupt practices by Venezuela's government.
‘This morning, 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 Nicolás Maduro and his cronies,' Attorney General Merrick Garland said. ‘The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.'
Looks like we're not messing around here.
For years, US officials have sought to disrupt the flow of billions of dollars to the regime. Homeland Security Investigations — the second largest investigative agency in the federal government — has seized dozens of luxury vehicles, among other assets, heading to Venezuela.
The plane — a Dassault Falcon 900, according to flight records, is estimated to cost around $13 million — had been in the Dominican Republic in recent months. US officials didn't disclose why, but it presented an opportunity for US officials to seize the aircraft.
Multiple federal agencies were involved in the seizure, including Homeland Security Investigations; Commerce agents, the Bureau of Industry and Security; and the Justice Department …
One of the next steps, upon arriving to the US, will be pursuing forfeiture, meaning the Venezuelan government has a chance to petition for it, and collecting evidence from the aircraft.
Don't forget, it was just four short weeks ago that we had this going on:
From Secretary of State Anthony Blinken back in August:
Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won the most votes in Venezuela's July 28 presidential election.
Interesting times we live in.
We'll keep an eye on this story and see what comes of it.
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