WASHINGTON, DC — The United States has taken control of a plane that was used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, transporting it from the Dominican Republic to Florida after confirming that its purchase breached U.S. sanctions, according to the U.S. Justice Department on Monday.

This aircraft seizure occurs amidst ongoing challenges faced by Maduro, both domestically and internationally, following a disputed election held on July 28, which he insists he won, while opposition claims indicate their candidate emerged victorious.

Maduro, along with his associates and critical sectors of Venezuela’s oil industry, is under severe U.S. sanctions, and concerns regarding his election management have heightened the likelihood of additional penalties being implemented.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft was bought illegally for $13 million via a shell corporation and was smuggled out of the U.S. for the use of Nicolás Maduro and his associates.

“This seizure should clearly indicate that aircraft illegally obtained from the United States for the advantage of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot simply escape unpunished,” remarked Matthew Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the U.S. Commerce Department.

Officials stated that the seizure, first reported by CNN, was executed in collaboration with the Dominican Republic.

The Venezuelan government has not yet replied to requests for comment.

The White House Security Council emphasized that this action is crucial to ensuring Maduro faces repercussions following widespread reports of election manipulation, false victory claims, and oppressive actions to retain power.

According to a Justice Department investigation, individuals connected to Maduro allegedly employed a shell company based in the Caribbean to disguise their role in securing the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft in late 2022 and early 2023.

Last year, the airplane was unlawfully exported from the U.S. to Venezuela via the Caribbean. Since then, it has made trips to and from a Venezuelan military base and has been utilized for “the benefit of Maduro and his associates, including transporting Maduro during international visits,” according to the Justice Department.

(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Jasper Ward; editing by Ross Colvin and Sandra Maler)