Seized Plane Belonging To Venezuela's Maduro Arrives In Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, FL - A seized plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro landed at a Fort Lauderdale airport on Monday.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has confirmed that a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro landed at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on Monday.

This comes after the aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was seized in the Dominican Republic by U.S. authorities due to violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the plane was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for Maduro’s use.

The DOJ cites Executive Order 13884, which prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with the Venezuelan government or its affiliates, including the Maduro regime.

The aircraft was exported from the U.S. to Venezuela in April of 2023 and has been used primarily for Maduro's benefit.

HSI, along with the Department of Commerce and other agencies, conducted the investigation.

Officials say the seizure sends a strong message that aircrafts illegally acquired for sanctioned Venezuelan officials will be pursued and returned to the U.S.