The United States seizes Venezuelan president's frequently used plane, triggering international attention

Recently, the United States took action in the Dominican Republic and seized a plane frequently used by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, triggering widespread international attention.

As confirmed by the US Department of Justice on September 2, after this Dassault "Falcon" 900EX business jet made in France was seized in the Dominican Republic, it has been transported to Fort Lauderdale Airport in Florida, the United States. The US side claims that Venezuela illegally purchased this plane through a shell company and smuggled it out of the United States, violating US sanctions and export control laws. US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that from late 2022 to early 2023, "Maduro's confidants are suspected of using a shell company located in the Caribbean to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase of the plane, and the plane was then used for the interests of Maduro and his representatives."

However, the Venezuelan government strongly condemned this move by the United States. The Venezuelan government issued a communiqué stating that the US's actions are criminal and an example of its illegal unilateral sanctions implemented in the world. No country or government can take illegal actions while ignoring international law. The Venezuelan government reserves all rights to hold the United States legally accountable.

It is reported that this plane has been in the Dominican Republic for the past few months. This seizure operation was jointly participated by multiple US federal government departments, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Commerce.

Maduro has taken this plane to visit countries such as Cuba and Brazil many times. The United States had previously imposed sanctions on 55 planes registered in Venezuela. These planes belong to state-owned oil giant Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., and the United States has also offered a $15 million reward for the arrest of Maduro who is facing federal charges in New York.

This incident has once again escalated the tensions between the United States and Venezuela. The international community is also closely watching the follow-up development of the incident and its possible impact on the regional situation. All parties have different views on the legality and rationality of this action taken by the United States on the grounds of violating sanctions, and the direction of the regional situation is full of uncertainties.