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President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela faces an increased U.S reward for his capture, jumping from $25 million (€21.4 million) to $50 million (€42.9 million) due to accusations of major narco-trafficking and collaboration with cartels to supply the United States with fentanyl-tainted cocaine.
Attorney General Pam Bondi affirmed in a video statement on Thursday that under President Trump's guidance, Maduro will not evade justice for his heinous crimes.
In 2020, during his first presidential term, Trump indicted Maduro and close associates on federal charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. At the time, a $15 million (€12.9 million) reward was set by the Trump administration, which was later increased to $25 million by the Biden administration - a figure equating to the reward for Osama bin Laden's capture following the 9/11 attacks.
Despite the generous sum, Maduro retains power, disregarding the stance of the U.S., the European Union, and several Latin American countries that brand his 2024 re-election as fraudulent and recognize Edmundo González as Venezuela's rightful president.
This July, the U.S. administration negotiated with Venezuelan authorities for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in Caracas, in exchange for Venezuela accepting the deportation of numerous migrants by the U.S. to El Salvador.
Following this, the U.S. overturned a previous suspension on Chevron, a major energy company, allowing operations in Venezuela after earlier sanctions halted activities there.
Bondi reported that the U.S. Justice Department has confiscated over $700 million (€600 million) in assets tied to Maduro, including two private jets and approximately 7 tons of cocaine traced directly to him.
The Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil, labeled the reward as "lamentable," condemning Bondi’s actions as a crude political campaign.
Gil’s statement also referred to Bondi’s controversies, including her abandonment of a pledge to reveal more information on the Epstein case, suggesting, “This spectacle is a laughable attempt to sidetrack from her own predicament.”
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Other sources: <strong>AP</strong>
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