It was also traveling to Turkey: US seizes Venezuelan plane over money laundering charges

The US government has announced that it has seized an aircraft belonging to the Venezuelan government. In a statement from the US Department of State, it was reported that the plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seized on the grounds that sanctions had been violated. Reports in the international press indicated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in the Dominican Republic at the time the plane was seized.

It was stated that a decision was made that there was a basis to file a legal forfeiture case due to the violation of US sanctions and export controls, as well as money laundering. It was reported that the Venezuelan-owned Dassault Falcon 200 aircraft was used by high-level officials in the Maduro government for trips to Greece, Turkey, Russia, Nicaragua, and Cuba.

According to Reuters, Rubio, who was in the Dominican Republic as part of an official visit, was also at La Isabela International Airport in the capital, Santo Domingo, when documents regarding the official seizure of the plane by a US Department of Homeland Security official were signed. The US had accused the Maduro government of using the seized plane to launder money and conduct illegal commercial activities.

In a post on his social media account, Secretary Rubio stated the following:

'The seizure of this Venezuelan aircraft, which was used to evade US sanctions and launder money, is a strong example of our determination to hold the illegitimate Maduro regime accountable for its illegal actions. Together with the Dominican Republic and our regional partners, we will continue to counter any plans aimed at evading US sanctions.'

The US had previously seized another aircraft belonging to the Venezuelan government in the Dominican Republic last September.

Maduro's victory in the July 2024 elections is rejected by the opposition, international observers, and numerous countries, including the US. The Maduro government reacted to the sanctions imposed by the US and other countries. The Venezuelan administration argued that the sanctions are illegitimate measures that amount to an 'economic war' designed to collapse Venezuela.