Second Maduro-linked plane under unvestigation in Dominican Republic Due to US request

A second aircraft connected to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is now under investigation in the Dominican Republic, according to a source familiar with the case.

The plane, a Dassault Falcon 2000 with the registration YV3360, bears similarities to another jet seized by US authorities earlier in the week, which had been linked to Maduro and listed as sanctioned by the US Treasury, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media sources.

Both jets had been sent to Santo Domingo for maintenance in recent months, the source said. The first plane, described as Venezuela’s version of Air Force One, was confiscated by US authorities after being flown to Florida. The seizure followed investigations into its acquisition, which US officials determined violated sanctions and other criminal laws.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland commented, "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."

Venezuela's government condemned the first seizure, labeling it “piracy” and accusing the US of intensifying its hostile actions against Maduro's administration.

Dominican authorities were ordered to "immobilize" the second plane last May at the request of US officials, who sought to investigate it for ties to fraud, smuggling, and money laundering.

The seizure of the first plane has been seen as a bold move by US authorities, with one official noting, “Seizing the foreign head of state’s plane is unheard of for criminal matters. We’re sending a clear message here that no one is above the law.”