As Nicolás Maduro takes the oath for a third term, the US escalates its pressure with a $25 million reward for his arrest, while the UK, Canada, and the EU impose new sanctions on his regime

As Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for his controversial third term on January 10, 2025, the US intensified its pressure on the embattled leader with a $25 million reward for information leading to his arrest. The reward comes on the heels of accusations that Maduro’s regime has been involved in widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and narcotics trafficking.

Maduro’s inauguration, which was boycotted by much of the international community, including the US and several Latin American nations, was overshadowed by global condemnation. In addition to the US reward for Maduro, rewards were also announced for the arrest and conviction of key members of his government, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino. Cabello now faces a $15 million bounty, while Padrino’s reward has also been raised to $15 million.

The UK, echoing the US stance, imposed sanctions on 15 high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including judges, military officers, and security personnel. Foreign Secretary David Lammy decried the Maduro regime as fraudulent, citing its role in undermining Venezuela’s democratic institutions and violating human rights.

Similarly, the European Union extended its restrictive measures, calling for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela, while Canada imposed additional sanctions, condemning Maduro’s “shameless” actions. Despite these international sanctions, Maduro’s government has rejected all accusations, blaming external forces for Venezuela’s economic crisis, which they attribute to US-led sanctions.

The US reward specifically targets Maduro for alleged narcotrafficking activities, with charges of “narco-terrorism” stemming from his role in the alleged flooding of the US with cocaine. These charges were first levied in 2020, and the US has continued to pursue sanctions and diplomatic efforts to isolate Venezuela’s leadership.

During his inauguration speech, Maduro promised a period of peace, prosperity, and equality. However, the ceremony itself was tightly controlled, with most Venezuelan media barred from attending and foreign journalists prevented from entering the country. The event saw only a handful of international leaders, including the presidents of Cuba and Nicaragua, in attendance, underscoring Maduro’s growing isolation on the world stage.

The disputed results of the July 2024 election, which Maduro claimed to have won, have been widely rejected by the international community. Many, including neighboring left-wing nations like Brazil and Colombia, have called the election fraudulent, backing opposition leader Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect. González, who fled the country in September, has been rallying international support during a tour of the Americas, with the Maduro government issuing a $100,000 reward for his capture.

The global scrutiny of Maduro’s regime continues as his government faces mounting criticism for its handling of Venezuela’s political and economic crisis. The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, called for the release of all political prisoners, including those detained since the controversial elections.