U.S. Raises Reward to $25 Million for Capturing Maduro, Imposes Sanctions Amid Disputed Third Term

Jan 10, 2025, 05:20 PM

The United States has elevated the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from $15 million to $25 million. This announcement comes as Maduro is sworn in for a contested third six-year term, following elections that were widely disputed and criticized by the international community. In addition to Maduro, the U.S. has increased the reward for Diosdado Cabello, the Minister of the Interior and a key ally, to $25 million, and for Vladimir Padrino López, the Minister of Defense, to $15 million. The U.S. government, which does not recognize Maduro's presidency as legitimate, has also imposed new sanctions against officials linked to state institutions, including the state oil company PDVSA and the national airline CONVIASA, as part of a broader effort to pressure the Maduro regime.