The United States has increased its reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $25 million on the same day he was sworn in for a third six-year term.
The inauguration was marred by widespread criticism from the international community and Venezuelan opposition leaders.
In addition to Maduro, rewards have also been announced for other senior officials. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello is now subject to arrest or conviction, while Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino faces a new $15 million reward.
The United Kingdom also joined the international effort by imposing sanctions against 15 senior Venezuelan officials, including judges, members of the security forces and military leaders.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office accused those sanctioned of “undermining democracy, the rule of law and human rights violations.” Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the Maduro regime as “fraudulent.”
The European Union announced an extension of “restrictive measures” against Venezuela, citing “the lack of progress… leading to the restoration of democracy and the rule of law.”
The EU also sanctioned 15 additional Venezuelan officials. Meanwhile, Canada imposed its own sanctions, with Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly condemning Maduro's “brazen actions” and stating that “Canada will not tolerate the erosion of the democratic process nor the repression of citizens seeking to express their rights.” ”.
The US reward highlights narcotics and corruption charges against Maduro dating back to 2020, when he was charged with “narcoterrorism” for allegedly flooding the United States with cocaine.
The Venezuelan leader has consistently denied these allegations and instead blamed US-led sanctions for his country's economic collapse. Critics, however, attribute the crisis to corruption and economic mismanagement.
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In his inauguration speech on Friday, Maduro promised that his third term would bring a “period of peace, prosperity, equality and the new democracy,” declaring: “I swear by history, I swear by my life and I will fulfill it.” .”
However, the results of the elections, held on July 28, were widely condemned by the international community, with countries such as Brazil, Colombia and the United States rejecting the result.
While Maduro remains isolated on the global stage, he continues to receive support from allies such as Iran, China and Russia. Only the presidents of Cuba and Nicaragua attended the strictly controlled inauguration, where most Venezuelan media and all foreign journalists were excluded.
The United States reimposed oil sanctions last year, after a brief relaxation aimed at encouraging Maduro to hold free and fair elections. The Venezuelan president remains defiant and criticizes the sanctions as “illegitimate and imperial.”
Meanwhile, opposition candidate Edmundo González, recognized by several nations as the legitimate president-elect, remains in exile in Spain. The Maduro government has issued an arrest warrant for González and is offering a $100,000 reward for his capture.
However, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the release of those “arbitrarily detained” since the disputed elections.
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