The United States has raised its reward to $25 million (£20.4m) for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, coinciding with his inauguration for a third six-year term.
The ceremony faced strong condemnation from the international community and Venezuelan opposition leaders.
Rewards are being offered for the arrest or conviction of other key figures, including Maduro. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello remains targeted, while a new $15 million reward has been announced for Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino.
The UK has also implemented sanctions against 15 senior Venezuelan officials, including judges, security personnel, and military officers.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated that the sanctions target individuals responsible for “undermining democracy, the rule of law, and human rights violations.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Maduro’s government as “fraudulent.”
The European Union followed suit, extending “restrictive measures” against Venezuela, citing “the lack of progress… leading to the restoration of democracy and the rule of law.” The bloc also sanctioned an additional 15 Venezuelan officials.
Canada also imposed fresh sanctions, with Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly criticizing Maduro’s “shameless actions.”
“Canada will not tolerate the erosion of the democratic process or the repression of citizens seeking to express their rights,” Joly said.
Maduro’s administration has consistently denied allegations by Western nations and opposition leaders. The US reward references narcotics and corruption charges brought against Maduro and other Venezuelan officials in 2020.
At the time, the US accused Maduro of “narco-terrorism,” claiming he and others used drugs to undermine the health of Americans. Maduro dismissed the accusations and has since blamed Venezuela’s economic struggles on US sanctions, which he describes as illegitimate and imperialist. Critics, however, attribute the collapse to corruption and mismanagement.
During his inauguration, Maduro pledged his new term would usher in “peace, prosperity, equality, and the new democracy.”
“This new presidential term will be the period of peace, prosperity, equality, and the new democracy,” he declared. “I swear by history, I swear by my life, and I will fulfill it.”
The global community widely condemned the July election results, including left-wing neighbors such as Brazil and Colombia.
The tightly controlled inauguration barred most accredited Venezuelan media and foreign journalists from attending.
US State Secretary Anthony Blinken has made it clear to Maduro: “Today, Nicolás Maduro held an illegitimate presidential inauguration in Venezuela in a desperate attempt to seize power. The Venezuelan people and the world know the truth – Maduro clearly lost the 2024 presidential election and has no right to claim the presidency. The United States rejects the National Electoral Council’s fraudulent announcement that Maduro won the presidential election and does not recognize Nicolás Maduro as the President of Venezuela. President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia should be sworn in, and the democratic transition should begin. We stand ready to support a return to democracy in Venezuela.”
Although Maduro retains the support of allies like Iran, China, and Russia, his government faces growing isolation internationally. Cuban and Nicaraguan leaders were the only foreign dignitaries present at the event. These five countries are no match for USA military power in South America. Donald Trump has already started implementing the Monroe Doctrine in South America. Trump wants to rename “the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” and he wants to control the Panama Canal.
Maduro was declared the winner of the contested election, but the opposition and several nations, including the US, rejected the results. Many recognize Edmundo González, the exiled opposition candidate, as the legitimate president-elect.
González, who fled to Spain in September, has been rallying international support during a tour of the Americas. In response, the Maduro government has issued an arrest warrant for González, offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the release of individuals “arbitrarily detained” since the election, as tensions over Venezuela’s political future continue to escalate.
Focusing on Progress: Why Guyana Should Ignore Maduro’s Provocations but must remain vigilant.
The ongoing territorial conflict between Guyana and Venezuela underscores the need for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to recognize the international consequences of his actions. Notably, the United States has placed a significant $25 million USD bounty on Nicolas Maduro’s head, signalling the extent to which global powers are targeting authoritarian leaders.
Maduro’s leadership, marked by economic mismanagement and political oppression, is supported by a handful of dubious allies who only perpetuate instability. Guyana must disregard Maduro’s provocations and focus solely on advancing its economic development. Any distractions caused by his regime will inevitably resolve as Venezuela faces mounting internal and external pressures.
Any move against Guyana will end Maduro and his cronies’ rule in Venezuela. Maduro knows this well. He does not want to face the same consequences Gadafi faced when he was ousted. Many political pundits describe Maduro as an empty barrel who makes the most noise.