United States Accused of 'Piracy' by Venezuela over Seized Presidential Aircraft
Washington Lays Claim to Maduro's Private Jet in Blow to Venezuela
Mexico City, Mexico, September 3, 2024, (Your News Platform) - Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has labeled the US as "pirates" after one of his personal jets was seized in the Dominican Republic and flown to Florida. The plane, a Dassault Falcon 900EX bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, is believed to have been used for official trips and was confiscated on the grounds that its purchase violated a Trump-era Executive Order restricting transactions with Venezuelan government representatives.
The Venezuelan government cried foul, denouncing "recurring criminal practices" from the US. In a statement, the country condemned the "illegal confiscation" of the aircraft, referring to the act as "piracy" that "cannot be described as anything other than piracy." These accusations come after U.S. officials alleged the plane was "smuggled" from the US to Venezuela through associates for an estimated $13 million via a shell company in late 2022.
US Attorney Markenzy Lapointe applauded the "invaluable assistance" provided by the Dominican Republic, where the plane had been stationed for routine maintenance. US authorities boasted of the "global reach" of their sanctions policy, with US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland vowing to "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."
The action, involving several US agencies and officials, was met with a stern response from Venezuela. The government has frequently utilized intermediaries to circumvent the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the US. In a statement, they warned the seizure was evidence of the US' disregard for international law and represented a disrespect for the "so-called 'rule-based order'" that seeks to establish the Law of the Jungle, creating rules that suit their interests without regard for global norms.
Previously stranded in Buenos Aires for nearly two years, a different aircraft owned by a Venezuelan subsidiary, Conviasa, was seized by US authorities in mid 2022. The move was part of Washington's ongoing efforts to enforce sanctions against the Maduro regime, targeting assets linked to circumventing economic restrictions.
The Dassault Falcon, which has been used for diplomatic trips to Cuba, Guyana, and a recent prisoner swap between the US and Venezuela, represents a high-value asset that US authorities are willing to pursue and seize. The move may escalate tensions between Caracas and Washington amid political and humanitarian crises. The Venezuelan government has reserved the right to take legal action in response.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.
Background Insights- The Dassault Falcon was purchased for $13 million in late 2022 through a shell company, allegedly in violation of sanctions targeting Venezuela.- The Dassault Falcon had been utilized for various official trips, including travels to Cuba and Guyana, and played a role in a recent prisoner swap.- The US' seizure of the aircraft marks their continued commitment to enforcing sanctions against the Maduro regime, as well as a potential precedent for the seizure of high-value assets owned by sanctioned individuals.- The move may exacerbate ongoing tensions between Caracas and Washington amid political and humanitarian crises in Venezuela.- The US has been tightening regulatory measures related to sanctions, with stricter recordkeeping requirements (e.g., OFAC's 10-year retention period).
- The Dassault Falcon 900EX, seized by US authorities in the Dominican Republic, was labeled as a 'high-value asset' that US officials are willing to pursue and seize, given its use in diplomatic trips.
- The Venezuelan government, in response to the confiscation of President Nicolás Maduro's private jet, harshly criticized the US for their "illegal confiscation" and labeled the act as "piracy."
- The US Administration has asserted that the seized aircraft violated a Trump-era Executive Order, while the Venezuelan government denounced this move as part of ongoing "criminal practices" from the US.
- The seizure of the Dassault Falcon, which had been stationed in the Dominican Republic for routine maintenance, may raise tensions between Venezuela and the US in the midst of ongoing political and humanitarian crises.
- The US Attorney General, Merrick B. Garland, has vowed to "continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls," reflecting a persistent policy commitment to enforcing sanctions against countries involved in war-and-conflicts and other matters of crime-and-justice and policy-and-legislation, as well as general news.
