US offers $50 million reward for info on Venezuela's leader Maduro
Photo: Nicolás Maduro (Getty Images)
The US Department of Justice and the State Department have announced a reward for information about Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The reward has been set at $50 million, the US Attorney General Pamela Bondi reports.
The United States is offering a reward for information that could help arrest Maduro, who is accused of drug trafficking, corruption, and human rights violations. The accusations specifically mention Maduro's use of organizations designated as terrorist groups to smuggle drugs into the United States.
"Maduro is using foreign terrorist organizations ... to bring deadly drugs and violence into our country," Bondi stated.
The US has not recognized Maduro as Venezuela's President since 2019, and has defined his "victory" in last year's election as fraudulent.
Previously, the reward for information on Maduro stood at $15 million. In January of this year, it was raised to $25 million, and now it has been doubled again.
The US Department of Justice has also seized over $700 million worth of assets linked to Maduro, including two private jets and nine vehicles.
Venezuela's Presidential election
The Presidential election in Venezuela took place on July 28, 2024. Incumbent President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner. He has now been in power for 11 years.
The Venezuelan opposition rejected the results, citing fraud. Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Washington was "deeply concerned" that the announced results did not reflect the will or vote of the Venezuelan people.
Following Maduro's inauguration, the US imposed sanctions on several Venezuelan officials.
