A second plane linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is under investigation in the Dominican Republic, according to CNN. The Dassault Falcon 2000 with registration number YV3360 is similar to the aircraft seized by US authorities on Monday and is on a US Treasury-sanctioned goods list owned by Maduro.
Both planes were sent to Santo Domingo for maintenance recently. The seized plane, considered Venezuela’s Air Force One, was used by Maduro on state visits worldwide. It was found to be illegally acquired in violation of US sanctions, leading to its confiscation and transportation to Florida.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the aircraft was allegedly purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the US for Maduro’s use. The Venezuelan government denounced the seizure as “piracy,” accusing the US of escalating aggression after a disputed presidential election.
The second Falcon is an upgraded version, seating ten passengers and worth $8-11 million. Its only recorded flight was to Malta in September 2019, as reported by Diario Libre.
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