Venezuela condemns $50 million US bounty on President Maduro as "illegal, desperate"
The US Departments of Justice and State announced a USD 50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro, who is accused of drug trafficking.
'We reject the absurd and desperate measures announced by the US Department of Justice, which are illegal (…) and nothing more than a delusional attempt to attack President (…) Maduro and our rebellious and courageous people,' said National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez in a statement he said had the unanimous backing of lawmakers.
Rodríguez, who also serves as Venezuela's chief negotiator in talks with Washington, added, 'They have not succeeded, and they will not succeed, with harsh sanctions (…) in altering the noble course chosen by the Venezuelan people in the free elections held on July 28, 2024, in which Nicolás Maduro was elected president of the republic.'
However, the Venezuelan opposition had declared victory in the presidential election, claiming it was rigged, and later boycotted the 2025 legislative, regional, and municipal elections in protest.
The unrest following the election left 28 people dead and 2,400 arrested. Around 2,000 of those detained have since been released, according to official figures.
The international community has not widely recognized Maduro's victory.
Washington continues to seek Maduro's removal from power and has imposed economic pressure on Venezuela. After tightening the oil embargo, it later allowed US oil company Chevron to operate on a limited basis in Venezuela while negotiations were underway for the release of Americans detained by Caracas.
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