The United States has seized an aircraft used by Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, escalating tensions between the two nations. The Dassault Falcon 900EX, described as Venezuela’s equivalent to Air Force One, was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and flown to Florida on Monday, according to US officials. The Justice Department alleges the plane was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the US for Maduro’s use.

Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the aircraft was purchased from a Florida-based company and illegally exported to Venezuela in April 2023. It was reportedly used exclusively for Maduro’s international travels, departing frequently from a Venezuelan military base. Officials from the US argue that the seizure sends a message that no one, including foreign heads of state, is above US sanctions or law.

The Venezuelan government condemned the seizure as “piracy,” accusing the US of using economic and military power to intimidate and pressure other nations, such as the Dominican Republic, into compliance. This incident follows the US’s broader efforts to disrupt financial flows to Maduro’s regime, including seizing luxury assets linked to Venezuelan officials.

The seizure involves multiple US federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Industry and Security. The next steps will involve pursuing forfeiture, which would allow the Venezuelan government to petition for the aircraft’s return, and collecting evidence from the plane.

This event adds to the ongoing conflict between the US and Venezuela, which has been marred by accusations of corruption, election fraud, and human rights violations under Maduro’s leadership. The US has reimposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector, citing concerns over the country’s recent presidential election results and democratic integrity.