U.S. Seized an Airplane Owned by Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro
Caracas Blasts Washington Over ‘Theft’ of Aircraft
Embraer Lineage 1000 Jet Valued at Around $20 Million
The U.S. government has seized an airplane owned by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The aircraft, an Embraer Lineage 1000 jet, was seized in Argentina on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
The seizure was carried out by the U.S. Justice Department’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA alleged that the aircraft was being used to transport drug money for Maduro and his associates.
The Venezuelan government has condemned the seizure, calling it a “theft” and a violation of international law. The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the aircraft was being used for “legitimate” purposes.
The DEA did not immediately provide any evidence to support its allegations. However, the agency has been investigating Maduro for years for alleged drug trafficking and money laundering.
In 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Maduro, freezing his assets and banning him from doing business with Americans.
The seizure of the aircraft is the latest move by the U.S. government to pressure Maduro to step down. The U.S. has been calling for Maduro’s ouster since 2019, when he was re-elected in an election that was widely condemned as fraudulent.
Maduro has refused to step down, and he has accused the U.S. of trying to overthrow his government. The U.S. has denied these accusations.
The seizure of the aircraft is likely to further escalate tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.
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