The United States has announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This sum is double the rewards offered for the capture of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The US’s decision to offer this substantial amount has raised questions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Maduro is involved in drug trafficking. Investigations suggest that Venezuela acts as a transit point for global drug trafficking, with an estimated 250 metric tons of drugs trafficked annually through Venezuela.
There have been reports that Venezuela might be helping Iranian immigrants enter the US with the use of fake passports. There is also a concern that some terrorists are using false passports to enter the US.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has said that the reward was doubled because Maduro is directly involved in the drug trade. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil has dismissed the claims as nonsense.
The US and Venezuela have had a long-standing disagreement. When Hugo Chavez took charge of the South American country in 1999, he challenged American imperialism. The US even tried to overthrow Chavez, but it failed.
Chavez implemented communist ideology in Venezuela, leading to strained relations with the US. Maduro, who is Chavez’s political successor, is also critical of the US.