US seizes Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s airplane in the Dominican Republic
1027 Tuesday, 03 September, 2024, 01:00 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. The plane has been described by officials as Venezuela’s equivalent to Air Force One and it has been pictured in previous state visits by Maduro around the world. “This sends a message all the way up to the top,” one of the US officials told CNN. “Seizing the foreign head of state’s plane is unheard-of for criminal matters. We’re sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions.” In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that “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.” The plane was purchased from a company in Florida, the Justice Department said, and was illegally exported in April 2023 from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean. |
Navy launches USS New Jersey, first US submarine built for both genders
20100:18Trump is safe after shots were reported in his vicinity in Florida, Secret Service and campaign say
220Yesterday, 23:36Sakarya pasta factory explosion in Türkiye injures 21, causes fire (video)
232Yesterday, 17:54G7 foreign ministers’ statement condemning Iran’s export and Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles
259Yesterday, 12:12Three US citizens sentenced to death in Congo over role in failed coup (video)
35414.09.2024, 17:24Jens Stoltenberg 'to take over Munich Security Conference'
48112.09.2024, 21:24Pavel Durov began collaborating with French intelligence services, disclosing information about Telegram channels
50012.09.2024, 21:00Ukraine Has Invented Its Own Precision Glide Bomb. It Could Become A Key Weapon For Strikes On Targets In Russia. (video)
86009.09.2024, 00:36