NEWS OF BAHRAIN | Published January 11, 2025
The US Department of State has raised the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to $25 million.
Maduro, 62, has been under federal indictment in the US since 2020, facing charges of cocaine trafficking and weapons-related crimes. Prosecutors alleged he played a pivotal role in the Cartel of the Suns, a high level Venezuelan drug-trafficking organization.
According to the indictment, Maduro worked closely with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC), a designated terrorist organization, to coordinate multi-ton cocaine shipments. The US also accuses him of providing the FARC with military-grade weapons and utilizing its assistance to train a militia operating as the cartel’s armed wing.
This announcement signals as a renewed effort by US authorities to bring Maduro to justice. “The reward reflects our commitment to combating narco-terrorism and holding accountable those who undermine global security.” A State Department spokesperson said.
Maduro who has led Venezuela since 2013, denies the charges and claims they are politically motivated.
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SOURCE: www.newsofbahrain.com
RELATED: US announces $25m reward for arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro
President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores gesture on the day of his inauguration for a third six-year term in Caracas, Venezuela January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
THE BUSINESS STANDARD NEWS | Published January 11, 2025
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third term on Friday, despite a six-month-long election dispute
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose nearly 12 years in office have been marked by deep economic and social crisis, was sworn in for a third term on Friday, despite a six-month-long election dispute, international calls for him to stand aside, and an increase in the U.S. reward offered for his capture.
Maduro, president since 2013, was declared the winner of July’s election by both Venezuela’s electoral authority and top court, though detailed tallies confirming his victory have never been published.
Venezuela’s opposition says ballot box-level tallies show a landslide win for its former candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who is recognized as president-elect by several countries, including the United States. International election observers said the vote was not democratic.
The months since the election have seen Gonzalez’s flight to Spain in September, his ally Maria Corina Machado going into hiding in Venezuela, and the detentions of high-profile opposition figures and protesters.
Gonzalez has been on a whistle-stop tour of the Americas this week and had promised to return to Venezuela.
But Machado, appearing in a video posted on social media on Friday, said the moment was not right for his return.
“Edmundo will come to Venezuela to be sworn in as constitutional president of Venezuela at the right time,” Machado said. “Today, it isn’t viable for Edmundo to enter Venezuela. I’ve asked him not to do so because his integrity is fundamental for the final defeat of the regime and the transition to democracy, which is very close.”
“Maduro consolidated the coup and the violation of our constitution,” Machado added, calling for street protests. “It’s time to do whatever is necessary to restore it.”
The government, which has accused the opposition of fomenting fascist plots against it, has said Gonzalez will be arrested if he returns and offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
“Soon, very soon, whatever they do, we will manage to enter Venezuela and put an end to this tragedy,” Gonzalez said in his own remarks from the Dominican Republic, asking the military to ignore “illegal orders” from Maduro and cease any repression.
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SOURCE: www.tbsnews.net
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