Washington, 3 September 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The United States has seized a luxury jet belonging to the authoritarian president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, for violating sanctions and export controls.

The US Department of Justice said on Monday the Dassault Falcon 900EX jet, which is owned and operated by Maduro and his entourage, was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and transferred to Florida.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland explained in a written statement that the aircraft had been purchased illegally for $13 million and smuggled out of the US "for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies."

The jet was purchased in Florida by a shell company and taken to the Caribbean in April 2023, the Justice Department said, adding that it was used for domestic and international flights.

"Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset," said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S Axelrod of the Department of Commerce.

Venezuela's foreign ministry condemned the seizure of the plane in a statement.

The US government's move was "a criminal practice that can only be described as piracy," the statement said.

The US government has imposed a raft of sanctions that prohibit Americans from doing business with members of the Maduro government, which the US does recognize as legitimate. There are also restrictions on exports to Venezuela.

Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, secured a third term in a disputed election held on July 28. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud and claims victory for its candidate, Edmundo González. Washington also says Maduro lost.