Nicolás Maduro criticized the request made by the government of United States to Argentina that it allows him to confiscate a Venezuelan-Iranian plane held in that country for possible links with international terrorism.
“By mandate of the United States they want to steal the Conviasa plane that is in Argentina. Now he wants to steal our plane like they stole our gold in London, like they stole Citgo from us. Now they intend to steal the plane that belongs to Venezuela », he said in an act with entrepreneurs.
This is the first time Maduro refers to the aircraft held since June 13 and remains in the custody of federal justice under investigation.
“It takes humanitarian aid to Caribbean countries. He was dedicated to bringing humanitarian aid to Africa. The plane with which we bring medicine from China, Russia, India, the plane that fulfilled a fundamental role in the humanitarian life of Venezuela is hijacked and they intend to rob us, “Maduro insisted.
In a statement issued by the US Department of Justice, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen, of the National Security Division, defended that “transactions that violate export laws and sanctions” of the US will not be tolerated.
According to the court, the plane is subject to sanctions, since its transfer by the Iranian company Mahan Air to Emtrasur, a subsidiary of the Venezuelan Consortium of Aeronautical Industries and Air Services (Conviasa), violates the export laws of the United States.
Plane held in Argentina
The aircraft remains parked in a hangar at the Ezeiza international airport -on the outskirts of Buenos Aires- and its load of auto parts was checked following its arrival.
The plane entered Argentina on June 6 from Mexico, making a stopover in Venezuela, presumably to transfer cargo to an automotive company, and two days later it took off to go to Uruguay to load fuel, but landed once more at the Argentine airport of the Buenos Aires town of Ezeiza because the neighboring country did not allow its landing.
The Argentine oil companies did not load the plane with fuel for fear of US sanctions and later, on June 11, it was reported that the Argentine government had ordered the plane to be grounded.
A few days later, a judge ordered to withhold the passports and prevent the crew members from leaving the country, who otherwise have full freedom of movement, while seizing the plane to obtain more information regarding the ship and what the members of the flight did in Buenos Aires.
At the time of the detention, it was ordered to investigate the crew – 14 Venezuelans and 5 Iranians – due to suspicions linked to the previous owner of the aircraft, the Iranian company Mahan Air, which is attributed ties to terrorism and on which they weigh. US economic sanctions.
President @NicolasMaduro denounces the United States’ claim to illegally seize a Venezuelan plane held on Argentine soil. pic.twitter.com/WF5sNuLGOk
— Presidential Press (@PresidentialVen) August 3, 2022
