US announces $25m reward for arrest of Venezuela’s President Venezuela's Maduro

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The United States Department of State has raised the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $25 million.

Maduro, 62, has been under federal indictment in the U.S. since 2020, facing charges of cocaine trafficking and weapons-related crimes. Prosecutors allege he played a pivotal role in the Cartel of the Suns, a high-level Venezuelan drug-trafficking organization.

According to the indictment, Maduro worked closely with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a designated terrorist organization, to coordinate multi-ton cocaine shipments. The U.S. also accuses him of providing the FARC with military-grade weapons and utilizing its assistance to train a militia operating as the cartel's armed wing.

This announcement signals a renewed effort by U.S. authorities to bring Maduro to justice. “The reward reflects our commitment to combating narco-terrorism and holding accountable those who undermine global security,” a State Department spokesperson said.

Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, denies the charges and claims they are politically motivated.