In a bold move, the US has doubled the reward for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, highlighting persistent accusations of his involvement in drug trafficking activities.
**US Ups the Ante with $50 Million Reward for Nicolás Maduro's Arrest**
**US Ups the Ante with $50 Million Reward for Nicolás Maduro's Arrest**
The US government has significantly raised the reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, amid ongoing drug trafficking allegations.
The United States has officially increased the financial incentive for information leading to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela's president, from $25 million to $50 million. US Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated that Maduro is connected to some of the largest drug smuggling operations globally and has accused him of being "one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world." This announcement comes as Maduro's recent re-election has faced significant controversy, with allegations of fraud and international rejection of the electoral process.
Bondi pointed out that the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized around 30 tons of cocaine associated with Maduro and his network, further cementing the narrative of his troubled ties to the drug trade. She claimed that Maduro's alleged collaboration with organizations such as Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, and the notorious Mexican Sinaloa Cartel posed significant threats.
In response to the reward announcement, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil dismissed the move as "pathetic" and accused the US government of using it as political propaganda, particularly citing other domestic controversies affecting the US administration.
Tensions between the US and Maduro's regime have remained high, following a series of charges against Maduro and other officials for drug trafficking and corruption. These sentiments were echoed during Trump's presidency, where accusations of Maduro working with Colombian guerrilla groups to flood the US with cocaine were vocalized.
Despite international scrutiny, Maduro has managed to cling to power, even after facing widespread protests and claims of human rights abuses within Venezuela. A recent case involving former military intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal, who switched his plea to guilty on drug charges after fleeing to Spain and potentially cooperating with US authorities, has only intensified the scrutiny on Maduro.
Global reactions to Maduro's governance continue, with the UK and European Union imposing sanctions earlier this year, signaling a unified stance against accusations surrounding his administration and leadership.
