US Offers $25 Million Reward for Arrest of Venezuela’s President Maduro

The United States has ramped up its pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by announcing a $25 million reward for information leading to his arrest, coinciding with his inauguration for a controversial third term.

This reward is tied to charges of narcotics trafficking and corruption dating back to 2020, when Maduro and other officials were accused of using cocaine as a weapon against the United States.

The announcement of the reward occurred on the same day that Maduro took the oath of office, declaring his third term would bring “peace, prosperity, equality, and a new democracy.”

However, his inauguration was marred by international condemnation, with many countries, including the US, Brazil, and Colombia, rejecting the results of the disputed election that had granted him another six years in power.

In response to the controversial inauguration, the US has also issued rewards for the arrest or conviction of high-ranking officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino, with up to $15 million for the latter.

Meanwhile, the UK imposed sanctions on 15 Venezuelan officials, citing their involvement in undermining democracy and human rights violations, while the EU and Canada have also extended sanctions on Maduro’s government.

Despite the sanctions and global isolation, Maduro and his allies in countries like Iran, China, and Russia have continued to reject the accusations, blaming economic sanctions for the country’s ongoing crisis. Critics, however, point to corruption and mismanagement as the true cause of Venezuela’s economic collapse.

With growing opposition from the international community and mounting pressure from the US, the future of Maduro’s regime remains uncertain.