00:00The United States has seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
00:05The aircraft is now at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.
00:08Now this plane is described as a version of Air Force One.
00:11Federal agents could be seen removing items from the aircraft this afternoon.
00:16We have team coverage tonight looking at why the U.S. seized the plane and reaction from
00:20the Venezuelan community here in South Florida.
00:22So let's begin with CBS News Miami's Ted Skouten who is in Fort Lauderdale Forest.
00:27Ted.
00:29Yeah Elliot and Lauren, tonight we are hearing from the Venezuelan government saying that
00:32the U.S. illegally confiscated that plane, going on to say that no country is safe from
00:36these illegal actions.
00:38Meanwhile, Homeland Security said they were justified by U.S. sanction laws.
00:45Evidence boxes are removed from the DeSalt Falcon 900EX.
00:49It's the plane used by Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro since May of last year.
00:54Today we've seized a Venezuelan-owned aircraft predominantly used by Venezuelan President
00:58Nicolás Maduro in violation of U.S. sanctions and other matters that we're looking at into
01:02the aircraft.
01:03According to investigators, persons affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based
01:08shell company to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase from a company based
01:13in the Southern District of Florida.
01:15The aircraft was then illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela through the
01:20Caribbean in April of 2023.
01:22This plane was predominantly utilized by Nicolás Maduro on numerous state visits.
01:26It's traveled to numerous countries on state visits with Nicolás Maduro.
01:29It's been utilized for a lot of official business for the Venezuelan government.
01:32Anthony Salisbury from Homeland Security Investigations in Miami said Maduro's been on their radar
01:37for a while.
01:38We've disrupted the flow of over $2 billion and indicted over 30 members of the Maduro
01:42regime, associates and facilitators.
01:44So we are constantly looking at the corrupt practices and illegal activities of the Maduro
01:48regime.
01:49Salisbury said the seizure of Maduro's jet sends a strong message.
01:52It says that HSI Miami, HSI on the whole, and its partners have the expertise, the global
01:57reach and the partnerships to impact anyone, including heads of state who think they're
02:02untouchable.
02:05Now that plane tonight is here at the airport in a hangar.
02:08Meanwhile Homeland Security said they're beginning what's called forfeiture proceedings, which
02:12could eventually lead to the sale of that plane.
02:15Back to Venezuela, what they're saying tonight is they reserve the right to take legal action
02:19as well as seek damages.
02:21Live in Fort Lauderdale, Ted Scowman, CBS News Miami.
02:24Ted, thank you.
02:25And today's plane seizure sparking strong reaction in South Florida's Venezuelan community.
02:30Our team coverage continues now in Doral.
02:32That's where CBS News member Yvonne Taylor is tonight with what people are saying there.
02:37Yvonne?
02:39And we're talking about a $13 million aircraft, Elio and Lauren.
02:44But Venezuelans here are focused beyond the economic value of the plane, but instead of
02:50the gesture of the U.S. government by confiscating this plane that allegedly was not used only
02:57by Maduro.
02:59People is thinking that the sanctions will hurt the Venezuelan people and not.
03:06The sanctions are with name and last name, Nicolás Maduro.
03:10So they went against his plane.
03:13And that is how these men and Venezuelans who gather at this landmark in Doral see the
03:18seizure of this plane considered the Air Force One of Venezuela.
03:21As far as I know, it was used mostly by Del C. Rodriguez to go and do the dirty job around
03:30countries close to Venezuela.
03:32She's the vice president.
03:33And she is the vice president of Venezuela.
03:36Ackerman says Maduro's vice president would fly on this plane for special missions to
03:40Cuba, Spain and Nicaragua, as well as other close to Maduro's government.
03:45The question many people will say is, why now?
03:48Well, we are after the elections of 28th of July that we won 70% against 30% of Maduro.
03:59I think we have a bigger chance than ever to get rid of Maduro.
04:05The international community, including the U.S., is not recognizing the presidential
04:10results claimed by Nicolás Maduro.
04:13But Maduro himself subpoenaed opposition leader Edmundo González.
04:16Some Venezuelans interpret today's actions as a warning to Maduro.
04:23I see this as a move in the right direction, a solid sign that the U.S. could finally show
04:30Nicolás Maduro, careful with what you do.
04:36And the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which means the government of Nicolás Maduro,
04:41already responded to the actions done by the United States.
04:45And they're reporting this as a criminal practice that cannot be defined other than piracy from
04:50the United States.
04:51Evidently, we are going to be following this story, which we are sure there will be a lot
04:56more to come.
04:57We are live in Doral, Ivan Taylor, CBS News, Miami.
05:00And we will continue following this story and bring you the latest on air and on cbsmiami.com.
