US authorities seize a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft that was undergoing maintenance in the Dominican Republic

According to the US Department of Justice, the aircraft was illegally purchased for $13 million and smuggled out of the US for the personal use of Maduro and his associates. The aircraft was used for international travel and mostly flew to a military base in Venezuela.

The US Attorney General, Merrick Garland, noted that this case is a vivid example of how important it is to comply with sanctions restrictions. According to him, the seizure of the aircraft of a foreign leader is an unheard-of precedent that demonstrates that even the highest officials cannot avoid responsibility.

The confiscation of Maduro's plane sends an important signal to Ukraine that sanctions can and should be effectively implemented. It gives hope that the property of Russian officials and oligarchs involved in the war can also be successfully confiscated and transferred to Ukraine's needs, increasing pressure on the aggressor and strengthening our international support.