The agency said the private jet was “illegally purchased” through a shell company in U.S.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that it had seized the private jet of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, alleging that he had obtained the plane by violating U.S. sanctions against Venezuela. President Maduro was not on board at the time.
“The Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “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.”
President Maduro claims he won Venezuela’s presidential election, but the U.S. and many other nations believe that the incumbent president tampered with both the voting process and the election results, recognizing his opponent Edmundo González Urrutia as the election’s actual winner.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Attorney General Garland to seek God’s direction as he oversees the Justice Department.
- For Secretary Janet Yellen and Treasury Department officials as they evaluate the efficacy of sanctions.
Sources: Axios, Department of Justice
