US Doubles Reward for Capture of Venezuela's President
The United States has doubled its reward for information leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, raising it to $50 million as part of its continued efforts to bring him to justice over international drug trafficking and corruption charges.
Announced jointly on Thursday by the US Department of Justice and the State Department, the new reward comes amid heightened accusations that Maduro played a key role in a long-running drug cartel operation that allegedly trafficked hundreds of tons of narcotics into the United States over the past two decades.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi
confirmed
the increase via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the federal government is intensifying its pursuit of Maduro, who federal prosecutors in New York want. The reward was previously raised in January from $15 million to $25 million before being doubled again this week.
Maduro is accused of operating a vast transnational drug trafficking network in collaboration with various criminal groups.
The US government alleges that the cartel worked closely with Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), which is designated a terrorist organization by Washington. Authorities also believe Maduro had ties with Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and Mexico's Sinaloa cartel.
The charges date back to 2020, during the final year of Donald Trump's presidency, when US prosecutors first filed a sweeping indictment against Maduro. The Justice Department claims that the cartel under his control generated hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit revenue from drug shipments directed toward the US market.
The latest escalation comes just days after criticism from the Biden administration over Maduro's re-election and swearing-in earlier this year, which the White House labelled as illegitimate and fraudulent. In response, Washington imposed additional sanctions on Caracas and raised the bounty on Maduro's head.
Venezuela's government has denounced the US move as absurd and politically motivated. Foreign Minister Yván Gil called the reward announcement pathetic and ridiculous, stating that it reflects Washington's desperation rather than a genuine legal pursuit.
read more
Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685
NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria
Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO
Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided
News
Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks
News
Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank
News
Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region
News
One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid
News
Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters
Arts & Culture
"Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
News
Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia
Business
Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Arts & Culture
South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle
Arts & Culture
Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani
Sports
Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt, Turkey affirm rejection of Israeli plan to reoccupy Gaza - Foreign Affairs
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, reaffirmed Cairo and Ankara's rejection of Israel's plan to reoccupy the Gaza Strip during talks in Cairo on Saturday. Egyptian presidency spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that the two sides called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war, the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid to the strip, an exchange of captives and prisoners, and rejection of any displacement of Palestinians from their land. On Friday, Egypt and Turkey issued statements rejecting the Israeli cabinet's decision to expand its 22-month-long genocidal war on Gaza, seize full control of Gaza City and reoccupy the strip. Earlier this week, the Egyptian president said the war on Gaza was no longer about hostages or political aims, but 'a war of starvation, genocide, and an attempt to eliminate the Palestinian cause.' The meeting, which was attended by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, also covered the situations in Libya, Syria, and Sudan, with El-Sisi outlining Egypt's vision for peace and stability. Both sides stressed respect for sovereignty, the preservation of territorial integrity and the protection of national resources. El-Sisi praised progress in Egyptian-Turkish ties since a February 2024 agreement to upgrade the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meetings to head-of-state level. The two governments agreed to boost economic cooperation towards their goal of $15 billion in bilateral trade, set by El-Sisi and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during talks in Ankara last September. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Independent
2 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Egypt condemns Israel's decision to occupy the entire Gaza Strip
Egypt on Friday harshly condemned the Israeli Cabinet's decision to develop a plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip. In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Egypt said that the decision aims to consolidate Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, continue its war of genocide in Gaza, eliminate all aspects of life for the Palestinian people, undermine their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state, and liquidate the Palestinian cause, in a flagrantly unacceptable violation of international law and humanitarian laws. Egypt reiterated that Israel's continued policy of starvation, systematic killing, and genocide against the defenseless Palestinian people will only fuel the conflict, further escalate tensions, deepen hatred and spread further extremism in the region – a situation already exacerbated by Israel's brutal aggression on the Gaza Strip and the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe it has caused there. It called on the international community, including the Security Council and all concerned parties, to assume their political, legal, and moral responsibilities and take urgent action to halt Israel's policy of arrogance of power, which aims to impose a fait accompli by force, undermine the chances of achieving peace, and eliminate the prospects for a two-state solution. Egypt reiterates that neither Israel nor the region will enjoy security or stability unless the Palestinian state is established on the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Egypt Independent
2 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Rising threats against Jewish and Israeli communities in UAE forces US embassy to issue statement
The US Embassy in UAE warned its citizens on Friday evening, in a statement posted on its Twitter account, to avoid areas associated with the Jewish and Israeli communities in the country. The US Embassy statement read: 'The US Mission to the United Arab Emirates is aware of information indicating threats toward the Jewish and Israeli communities in the UAE. The Mission urges US citizens to avoid locations in the UAE associated with the Jewish and Israeli communities, including places of worship,' without providing further details. The embassy also published emergency numbers to assist its citizens in the event of any danger.
