The United States seizes Maduro's plane in a new blow to the Venezuelan regime.

Tensions between the United States and Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela have taken a new turn with the recent seizure of an official plane belonging to Maduro, which was in the Dominican Republic and has been moved to Florida. This incident, which occurred on September 2, has been announced by the U.S. Department of Justice, which emphasizes that the action was taken due to violations of U.S. export control laws and sanctions imposed on the Venezuelan government. The aircraft in question is a Dassault Falcon 900EX, which, according to investigations, was illegally acquired for a cost of $13 million. According to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, the plane was purchased through a shell company, a tactic commonly used to evade sanctions and international laws. Garland emphasized that the investigation continues to ensure that U.S. resources are not used to threaten national security. This incident occurs in a complicated political context in Venezuela. On July 28, Maduro was proclaimed the winner of an election that has been labeled fraudulent by the opposition, which published 81.7% of the records supporting his victory. The Joe Biden administration has refused to recognize Maduro's triumph, highlighting the growing rift between the U.S. government and the Venezuelan regime. The Department of Justice's statement also reveals details about how the illegal transaction was carried out. According to the information, individuals linked to Maduro used a shell company based in the Caribbean to hide their involvement in the purchase of the plane, which was subsequently exported illegally to Venezuela. Since May 2023, the jet has been largely associated with activities of the Venezuelan government, including transporting Maduro during his trips abroad. Executive Order 13884, issued by former President Donald Trump in August 2019, prohibits U.S. citizens from engaging in transactions with individuals operating on behalf of the Venezuelan government, a legal framework that has allowed for the seizure of the plane in question. This action is a demonstration of the United States' commitment to enforcing sanctions and measures against officials of Maduro's regime, who are accused of human rights violations and corruption. Matthew S. Axelrod, Under Secretary for Export Administration at the Department of Commerce, emphasized that this seizure sends a clear message: resources obtained illegally and used to benefit sanctioned officials will not be tolerated. Axelrod stressed that the status of the officials or the luxury of the goods in question does not matter; the U.S. government will continue to work with international allies to identify and recover any assets that have been smuggled. Cooperation between the U.S. government and the Dominican Republic was crucial to carry out this seizure. It is noteworthy that relations between Maduro and the Dominican Republic have been tense since the Caribbean nation did not recognize his proclamation as president. This turn of events not only affects the Venezuelan government but also resonates in the regional political dynamics, reflecting the stance of neighboring countries towards Maduro's regime. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan opposition finds itself at a crossroads. The recent seizure of the plane could be interpreted as support for their allegations of corruption and abuse of power by the government. However, the challenge they face remains monumental, given Maduro's control over institutions and the lack of decisive international support that would allow for a peaceful transition to democracy. In summary, the confiscation of Maduro's plane represents a significant development in the prolonged confrontation between the United States and the Venezuelan regime. This incident not only highlights the government's evasion tactics regarding sanctions but also opens the door to greater scrutiny and international pressure on the regime's activities. The repercussions of this act could be seen both in Venezuela's internal politics and in the international community's response to a regime that continues to be condemned for its handling of human rights and democracy.