Venezuela Slams “Desperate” US’ $50M Bounty On Maduro

Venezuela’s Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, condemned the U.S. $50 million reward for President Maduro’s arrest, calling it “illegal and desperate.” The U.S. doubled the reward, accusing Maduro of ties to drug trafficking and criminal groups like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Maduro has led the Cartel de los Soles for over a decade. The reward initially set at $15 million in 2020 was increased to $25 million in January 2025, alongside new sanctions n18oc_world n18oc_crux