The US government has confiscated an airplane reportedly used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, claiming it violates Washington’s sanctions against Caracas, CNN reported on Monday.
The US has charged Maduro with drug trafficking and refused to recognize his victory in the last two Venezuelan presidential elections.
“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, no one is above the reach of US sanctions,” an unnamed Washington official told CNN, which first reported the story on Monday.
According to CNN, the plane is worth around $13 million and was seized in cooperation with Dominican authorities.