Dominican Republic denies involvement in seizure of Maduro’s plane by U.S.

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic government clarified that it had no involvement in the investigation of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s plane, which was seized by U.S. authorities.

Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez explained that the Dominican Public Prosecutor’s Office acted on a request from a U.S. court in May to immobilize the Dassault Falcon 900EX for evidence searches related to fraud, smuggling, and money laundering. Álvarez emphasized that the Dominican government and its Public Prosecutor’s Office merely complied with the U.S. request and did not participate in the investigation.

President Luis Abinader also noted that the plane was not registered under Maduro’s name. The U.S. government seized the $13 million aircraft, which was in the Dominican Republic for maintenance, citing its illegal purchase through a shell company and violation of sanctions. The plane has since been sent to Florida.