US Lodges Complaint Regarding Smuggled Aircraft Allegedly Benefiting Venezuela's Maduro

On March 18, the U.S. Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture complaint regarding an aircraft allegedly smuggled from the United States and used for the benefit of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in violation of sanctions. Maduro and his government have consistently opposed U.S. sanctions, labeling them as illegitimate tools aimed at destabilizing Venezuela. The Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was confiscated last year in the Dominican Republic, as announced by the U.S. Justice Department. In response, the Venezuelan government in February condemned the seizure of their aircraft by the U.S. as "blatant theft," denouncing it as an unlawful act.