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As Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third term on January 10, 2025, the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom announced a fresh wave of sanctions targeting top officials in his government. In a dramatic move, the U.S. also increased its bounty for Maduro’s arrest from $15 million to $25 million, citing his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
The Biden administration also issued a $25 million reward for Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and a $15 million reward for Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino. The U.S. has accused Maduro and his inner circle of facilitating cocaine shipments and supporting narco-terrorism, charges that date back to indictments issued in 2020. Maduro has consistently denied these allegations, labeling them as part of a “campaign of imperialist aggression.”
In addition to the rewards, the U.S., EU, and UK imposed new financial restrictions on 15 Venezuelan officials. Among those targeted are Hector Obregon, the head of the state-owned oil company PDVSA, and members of Venezuela’s electoral council. Canada also joined the sanctions push, targeting 14 current and former officials.
The sanctions aim to increase economic pressure on Maduro’s government, which has already faced years of international restrictions over alleged corruption, human rights abuses, and election manipulation. Critics argue that these measures, coupled with financial rewards, are part of an ongoing strategy to isolate Maduro diplomatically and economically.
The sanctions follow Venezuela’s controversial July 2024 election, in which Maduro claimed victory. The opposition, led by exiled candidate Edmundo González, has provided voting data that it says proves a landslide win in its favor. International observers, including the EU, have stated the election lacked transparency and fairness.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who has been in hiding since August, described the sanctions and increased bounties as a “necessary step” to hold Maduro accountable. She criticized Maduro’s inauguration, calling it a “mockery of democracy.”
The $25 million reward for Maduro is one of the highest ever issued by the U.S. State Department for a sitting world leader. Analysts suggest it signals a renewed effort to incentivize insider cooperation. “This is not just a political statement. It’s an operational move to disrupt Maduro’s inner circle,” said a senior U.S. official.
The rewards for information may also add to growing tensions within Maduro’s government, where divisions have reportedly widened over the handling of Venezuela’s economic collapse and international isolation.
Under Maduro’s leadership since 2013, Venezuela has experienced one of the worst economic crises in modern history. Hyperinflation, widespread food shortages, and mass emigration have left millions of Venezuelans struggling to survive. The United Nations estimates that nearly eight million people have fled the country, with many facing dangerous journeys through the Darién Gap en route to the U.S.
While the sanctions and rewards reflect international frustration with Maduro’s regime, their effectiveness remains uncertain. Critics of sanctions argue they often exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens without achieving significant political change.
