The United States government has seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, alleging that it was purchased and exported illegally. The Falcon 900EX aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to Florida, according to the US Department of Justice.

The seizure is related to suspected violations of US export control and sanctions laws. An investigation found that individuals affiliated with Maduro used a shell company to conceal their involvement in the plane’s purchase from a Florida-based company in late 2022 and early 2023. The aircraft was then illegally exported from the US to Venezuela via the Caribbean in April 2023.

US officials stated that the plane was used by Maduro for international visits and had been flown almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has not commented on the matter.

This action is part of ongoing efforts by the US government to hold Maduro accountable for his actions. A White House spokesperson said the seizure represents “an important step to ensure that Maduro continues to feel the consequences from his misgovernance of Venezuela.”

This is not the first time Maduro or the Venezuelan government has faced action from US federal authorities over alleged corruption. In 2020, the US Department of Justice charged Maduro and 14 Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking, among other charges. A reward of up to $15 million is offered for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.