The US Department of Justice reported the seizure this Sunday of the plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, alleging violations of sanctions and export control laws.

The US alleges that the aircraft was illegally acquired through a shell company based in the Caribbean for 13 million dollars from a company in Florida and smuggled out of the United States. The aircraft, which was in the Dominican Republic, was taken to southern Florida.

"This morning (September 2), the Department of Justice seized an airplane that we allege was illegally purchased for 13 million dollars through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his henchmen," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. Garland, according to a statement from the Department of Justice, quoted by the international press.