Venezuela slams US seizure of plane used by Maduro

CARACAS — Venezuela on Monday denounced Washington's seizure of a plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as part of a "repeated criminal practice".

The United States has seized the plane in the Dominican Republic, claiming that its acquisition violated US sanctions.

"Venezuela denounces to the international community that once again, the authorities of the United States of America, in a repeated criminal practice that cannot be classified as anything other than piracy, have illegally confiscated an aircraft that has been used by the President of the Republic, justifying themselves on the coercive measures (sanctions) that they unilaterally and illegally impose around the world," Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil said on Telegram.

Venezuela made it clear that "it reserves the right to take any legal action to repair this damage to the nation, as well as all other damage caused by the criminal policy of unilateral coercive measures", Gil added.

The United States seized the airplane, citing sanctions laws, the Justice Department announced on Monday.

The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was seized and then transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the US "based on violations of US export control and sanctions laws", according to the statement.

The incident, which came a little over a month after Maduro's reelection, represents the latest chapter in the long-standing tense relations between the US and Venezuela.

The US has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Maduro government in support of opposition leaders.

An Executive Order issued in August 2019 prohibits US persons from engaging in transactions "with persons who have acted or purported to act directly or indirectly for or on behalf of, the Government of Venezuela", according to the Justice Department statement.

Meanwhile, the US State Department offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Maduro.

Also on Monday, Venezuela ordered the arrest of presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who is accused of crimes, including forging a public document, incitement to disobedience of laws, conspiracy and sabotage, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Xinhua