The US has announced that it has seized the plane of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro due to violations of sanctions imposed by Washington , reported France Press and Reuters, quoted by BTA.
The Dassault Falcon 900 EX plane was “illegally exported from the United States and used for the benefit of Maduro and his representatives”, the US Department of Justice said in a statement. It states that the machine was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and transported to Florida.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the plane was purchased for $13 million through an offshore company.
The seizure of the plane came amid mounting pressure on Maduro at home and abroad over the disputed July 28 election, which he claimed to have won. The opposition claims that its candidate won with a large majority.
Maduro, his aides and the Venezuelan oil sector are subject to heavy sanctions by the United States, and what is happening around the election raises the possibility of imposing new measures, notes Reuters.