U.S. Seizes Nicolás Maduro's Official Plane

Based on the U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela, the United States confiscated the official plane of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in the Dominican Republic on Monday, reported CNN exclusively.

"Seizing the plane of a foreign head of state is unprecedented in criminal matters. We are sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is beyond the reach of U.S. sanctions," stated one of the two U.S. officials interviewed by CNN.

The aircraft, which was transported from Dominican soil to Florida, has been described by officials as the Venezuelan equivalent of Air Force One.

The plane, estimated to be worth around 13 million dollars and photographed on Maduro's previous state visits around the world, CNN recalls, had been in the Dominican Republic in recent months. U.S. officials did not disclose why, but an "opportunity" arose to confiscate the aircraft in an operation involving multiple federal agencies, working "in close collaboration with the Dominican Republic, which notified Venezuela about the seizure."

For years, millions have fled the chavista dictatorship, primarily heading to the northern nation, creating tensions in various countries across the continent.

Since July 28, when Maduro declared himself the winner of the presidential elections in Venezuela, supported by all institutions dominated by chavismo, the United States, along with other countries, has demanded transparency in the election results.

They have even stated that they will hold accountable those who enable electoral fraud and repression in the South American country.