US seizes Venezuelan leader’s $13 million private jet in sanctions crackdown: ‘Illegally purchased for President Nicolás Maduro’

The United States has taken a significant step in enforcing sanctions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by seizing his private jet, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, in the Dominican Republic. The aircraft, valued at $13 million, was flown to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after US authorities determined it had been illegally purchased and exported in violation of US sanctions.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.” The jet, referred to as Venezuela’s equivalent to Air Force One, has been used to transport Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials both domestically and internationally.

The Dassault Falcon 900EX, introduced by Dassault in 1984, is a well-known private jet favored for its long-range capabilities and use by various governments, including the French Air and Space Force and the Japan Coast Guard. This specific aircraft had been based at a Venezuelan military facility but was also utilized for international travel, further extending the reach of Maduro’s regime.
Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce, reinforced the message of the seizure, saying, “Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset.”
The Dassault Falcon 900EX boasts impressive performance specifications, with a length of 66.4 feet, a wingspan of 63.4 feet, and a maximum cruising speed of 482 knots (555 miles per hour). It can travel up to 4,500 nautical miles (5,175 miles) and reach a service ceiling of 51,000 feet, making it ideal for international travel.
US Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida praised the coordinated efforts that led to the successful seizure, highlighting the cooperation between US and Dominican authorities. “This successful seizure was the result of planning, coordination, and execution by the United States government, with invaluable assistance by the authorities in the Dominican Republic.”