The US government is offering a $50 million reward for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This amount surpasses the rewards previously offered for prominent terrorists like Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, on whom the US had placed a $25 million bounty. The large reward offered for Maduro raises inquiries about the US’s intentions.
According to the US, Maduro is at the center of a drug trafficking operation. US officials have accused Maduro of facilitating the smuggling of dangerous drugs into the United States. US investigations suggest that Venezuela is a key transit point for international drug trafficking, with an estimated 250 metric tons of drugs trafficked through the country each year.
Recent reports have also suggested that Venezuela might be involved in assisting Iranian immigrants to enter the US using fraudulent passports. There are concerns that terrorists may also be taking advantage of false passports to gain entry into the US.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi cited Maduro’s direct participation in drug trafficking as the justification for the increased reward. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil has responded to the US claims, calling them false.
The conflict between the United States and Venezuela has a long history. After Hugo Chavez took power in Venezuela in 1999, he openly challenged American influence. The US tried to oust Chavez in a coup but was unsuccessful.
Chavez introduced communist concepts in Venezuela, which resulted in friction with the US. Nicolas Maduro, who followed Chavez, continues to criticize the US.