U.S. Increases Reward to USD50M for Venezuelan President Arrest

(MENAFN) The US State Department and Department of Justice revealed Thursday an increased bounty of up to $50 million for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, accused of violating US narcotics laws. This move doubles the previous $25 million reward announced in January and signifies a sharp intensification of American efforts to hold Maduro accountable.

The official statement highlights Maduro’s role as a central figure for over ten years in the Cartel de los Soles, a criminal network responsible for smuggling significant amounts of drugs into the United States. “For over a decade, Maduro has been a leader of Cartel de los Soles, which is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States,” the statement confirmed.

In a related development, on July 25, the US Treasury Department labeled the cartel a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization, citing its persistent involvement in international drug trafficking.

The statement also criticized Maduro’s grip on power, stating, “Since 2020, Maduro has strangled democracy and grasped at power in Venezuela. Maduro claimed to have won Venezuela’s July 28, 2024 presidential election but failed to present any evidence that he had prevailed.”

“The United States has refused to recognize Maduro as the winner of 2024 election and does not recognize him as the President of Venezuela," the statement added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the urgency of bringing Maduro to justice in a post on X, saying, “@StateDept and @TheJusticeDept are increasing the reward for the arrest of dictator Nicolas Maduro to $50 million for violating U.S. narcotics laws. Maduro is the head of the vicious Cartel de Los Soles, a narco-terror organization which has taken over Venezuela. Maduro MUST be brought to justice.”

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