EXCLUSIVE: NEWS: Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela, was sworn in for a third six-year term on Friday. The U.S. government has offered a reward of up to $25 million for information that leads to Maduro’s arrest or conviction. As Venezuelan President Maduro begins his third term, the US offers a $25 million reward for his arrest.

The government emphasized its commitment to promoting democratic accountability in Venezuela in a statement released by the US Department of Treasury, claiming that Maduro’s reelection was tainted by widespread irregularities and fraud.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

Bradley Smith, acting under-secretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, criticized Maduro’s leadership, saying, “Maduro and his associates have continued their repressive actions in Venezuela since last year’s election.” Along with our like-minded allies, the United States rejects Maduro’s phony declaration of victory and supports the Venezuelan people’s vote for new leadership.

Maduro pledged a new age of democracy, wealth, and peace during his inauguration on Friday. But the United States rejected his promises, pointing to his government’s continued suppression of opposition in Venezuela. The 2024 reelection of Maduro was tainted by controversy, as accusations of vote-rigging surrounded the National Electoral Council’s (CNE) partial results that declared him the victor. In response, Panama suspended diplomatic relations with Venezuela, while the United States and other world leaders questioned the validity of the referendum.

In an effort to hold onto power, Maduro and his aides have instead persisted in their violent repression while ignoring the demands of the Venezuelan people for democratic accountability, the Treasury statement concluded.

The US State Department also announced a $15 million reward for information that would result in the arrest or conviction of Venezuela’s defense minister, Vladimir Padrino, in addition to the $25 million prize on Maduro. The identical $25 million offer was also made to Maduro’s interior minister. The United States also placed further limits on visas for Maduro-aligned officials, claiming they were involved in repression and sabotaging Venezuela’s democratic process.

Maduro was frequently pushed to start a democratic transition by the United States and its allies. His administration, however, rejected the appeals and continued to hold onto power through what the US referred to as “violent repression.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>