More than seven months after the U.S. increased the cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of controversial Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from $15 million to $25 million, the offer remains active. The U.S. State Department reiterates that Maduro, 62, fraudulently declared himself the winner of Venezuela’s “deeply flawed” 2018 presidential election and allegedly led the Cartel of the Suns, a drug trafficking organization comprised of high-ranking Venezuelan officials.
Key Details:
– Allegations Against Maduro: U.S. federal officials accuse Maduro of participating in a “corrupt and violent narco-terrorism conspiracy” with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
– Charges: Maduro was federally charged in March 2020 with narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
– U.S. Stance on Maduro’s Presidency: The U.S. has not recognized Maduro as the legitimate President of Venezuela since 2019.
Reward Information:
– Anyone with information leading to Maduro’s arrest and conviction should contact the local DEA office in their area or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
– The reward is part of the U.S. State Department’s Narcotics Rewards Program, targeting Maduro’s alleged ties to drug trafficking.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on several Venezuelan officials alongside the reward announcement, citing concerns over democratic erosion and human rights abuses in Venezuela.