Argentine authorities have grounded an Iran-linked Venezuelan Boeing 747 cargo plane, a local opposition lawmaker and Iranian state media said on Sunday, in an unfolding drama that is throwing a spotlight on political undercurrents in Latin America.
The Emtrasur cargo plane, sold to Venezuela by Iran’s Mahan Air a year ago according to the Iranian airline, arrived in Buenos Aires on June 8, flight tracking data show.
It was then seized by authorities, the lawmaker and Iranian media said.
Argentina’s Interior Ministry says 14 Venezuelans and 5 Iranians were traveling on the plane.
It was seized due to suspicions over the stated reason for the plane entering the country.
Iran and Venezuela, which are both under U.S. sanctions, have close ties.
Argentina’s government did not reply to Reuters’ queries seeking comments about the aircraft.
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