The United States authorities have seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s airplane and transported it to Florida.
The $13 million plane was confiscated in the Dominican Republic due to alleged violations of US sanctions.
This unprecedented action marks a significant escalation in tensions between the US and Venezuela.
According to CNN, multiple federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Justice, were involved in the seizure.
The move comes on the heels of Maduro’s controversial re-election last month, which sparked concerns over the credibility of the vote.
The US had previously imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector in response to the Maduro regime’s actions.
Venezuela has suspended commercial flights to and from the Dominican Republic following the seizure.
The Venezuelan government has been notified and can now pursue forfeiture and petition for the plane’s return.
This development highlights the intensifying standoff between the US and Venezuela, with the US asserting its authority and Venezuela pushing back against what it sees as foreign interference.
