The United States has announced a $50 million reward for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a sum exceeding the rewards offered for capturing Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The US previously offered $25 million for information leading to the capture of each of the aforementioned terrorist leaders. This significant bounty raises questions regarding the US’s motives.
According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Maduro is implicated in drug trafficking. The US investigation suggests that Venezuela serves as a key transit point for the global drug trade, with approximately 250 metric tons of drugs trafficked through the country annually.
Reports suggest that Venezuela might be facilitating the entry of Iranian immigrants into the US using passports. There are also concerns that terrorists might be using fake passports to enter the US.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the reward was doubled because Maduro is directly involved in drug trafficking. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil dismissed the claims as baseless on Telegram.
The relationship between the US and Venezuela has been strained for a long time. Hugo Chavez, who assumed leadership of Venezuela in 1999, challenged American influence. The US attempted to instigate a coup to remove Chavez, but it was unsuccessful.
Chavez introduced communist ideologies in Venezuela, which concerned the US. Maduro, Chavez’s political successor, continues to be critical of the US.