U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Thursday a significant escalation in efforts to apprehend Venezuela's socialist leader, Nicols Maduro.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the State Department have now increased the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to a staggering $50 million. This move underscores the United States' commitment to holding Maduro accountable for his alleged crimes, which include drug trafficking and fostering violence through alliances with foreign terrorist organizations.
The pursuit of Maduro, which began during President Donald Trump's administration in 2020, initially offered a $15 million reward. As reported by the Daily Caller, this figure has now more than tripled. In a video statement shared on Bondi's X account, she described the reward as "historic," emphasizing the gravity of Maduro's actions.
"Maduro uses foreign terrorist organizations like TDA, Sinaloa, and Cartel of the Sons to bring deadly drugs and violence into our country," Bondi stated. She further highlighted that the DEA has seized 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro and his associates, with nearly seven tons directly connected to him.
Bondi declared, "He is one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world and a threat to our national security. Therefore, weve doubled his reward to $50 million." She credited President Trump's leadership for ensuring that Maduro will face justice for his "despicable crimes."
The DOJ's efforts against Maduro extend beyond financial incentives. During Trump's administration, indictments were issued against Maduro and his inner circle, accusing them of transforming Venezuela into a "narco-terrorism" hub, as noted by CNBC.
The charges, filed in the Southern District of New York, include "narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices."
In a tumultuous turn of events, Venezuela descended into chaos in 2024 when Maduro proclaimed himself president following a contentious election. Mass protests erupted, with opposition leaders asserting that independent polls showed they had secured 70% of the vote. "We won, and everyone knows it," opposition leader Maria Corina told reporters, according to CNN.
"The entire international community knows what happened in Venezuela and how people voted for change." This political unrest further underscores the urgency of the international community's efforts to address the situation in Venezuela and bring Maduro to justice.
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