US DOJ Transfers Venezuelan 747 from Argentina to Miami Following Legal Battle

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has completed the transfer of a Boeing 747-300M previously operated by Emtrasur Cargo, from Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini/Ezeiza to Miami Dade-Collier on February 12, 2024. This operation concludes an 18-month-long legal and logistical coordination between the United States and Argentine authorities.

The aircraft’s transfer marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the alleged connections between Emtrasur Cargo, a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned airline Conviasa, and the sanctioned Iranian carrier Mahan Air. The 747, which was the last known aircraft owned by Mahan Air, is under scrutiny for potentially violating US export control laws through its transfer from the Iranian carrier to Emtrasur.

The aircraft was detained in Argentina on June 6, 2022, following a seizure warrant issued by the United States, citing concerns over the unauthorized transfer that purportedly benefited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC-QF) and Hizballah. The US Department of Commerce has a Temporary Denial Order against Mahan Air, restricting its ability to engage in transactions involving US-exported commodities.

This event has also highlighted the geopolitical dynamics between the United States, Argentina, and Venezuela. The aircraft’s release coincides with a change in Argentina’s leadership, with the pro-US President Javier Milei succeeding Alberto Fernandez, known for his Venezuela-friendly stance.

Venezuela has strongly criticized the actions of the US and Argentine governments, labeling the transfer of the 747 as theft and alleging violations of international air navigation regulations. The Venezuelan government has brought these concerns before the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), citing a “serious situation of unprecedented legal and operational insecurity” in the region.

The 38-year-old aircraft (registration YV3531) with a rich operational history spanning several airlines, including UTA – Union de Transports Aériens, Air France, Garuda Indonesia, Blue Airways, and Mahan Air, was Emtrasur Cargo’s sole aircraft. The saga of its seizure and subsequent transfer underscores the complex interplay of international law, national security concerns, and global aviation operations.