The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reminded on Friday that it has a million-dollar reward active for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela, and other high-ranking officials of his regime, who are accused of leading a criminal network with ties to international narcoterrorism.
The announcement comes after a new action by the Department of the Treasury through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which officially sanctioned the Cartel de los Soles —a Venezuelan criminal organization allegedly led by Maduro, Diosdado Cabello, and Vladimir Padrino López— as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization (SDGT).
“These actions further expose how the illegitimate Maduro regime facilitates drug terrorism through groups such as the Cartel de los Soles,” stated Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a news release posted on X.
The reward was set last January at 15 to 25 million dollars by both the Chavista leader and his influential Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.
According to the official statement, the Cartel de los Soles has provided material support to two of the most violent and active criminal networks on the continent: the Tren de Aragua, originating from Venezuela, and the Cártel de Sinaloa, based in Mexico.
Both organizations are designated by the U.S. as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).
The crimes attributed to these networks include drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, sexual exploitation of minors, and money laundering, among other offenses.
The sanction implies that all property and assets of the designated individuals that are in U.S. territory or under the control of American citizens or institutions will be frozen.
Additionally, any transaction with the sanctioned individuals is prohibited, and foreign financial institutions that cooperate with them could face secondary sanctions.
On January 10th, the United States increased the reward for information leading to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela, and the influential Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, from 15 to 25 million dollars for each.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nicolás Maduro's Search by the DEA
Why is the DEA seeking Nicolás Maduro?
The DEA is searching for Nicolás Maduro and is offering a substantial reward for information leading to his capture due to accusations of leading a criminal network linked to international narco-terrorism. He is accused of running the Cartel of the Suns, a criminal organization that supports other criminal groups such as the Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel.
What is the Cartel de los Soles and why has it been designated as a terrorist organization?
The Cartel de los Soles is a Venezuelan criminal organization allegedly led by high-ranking officials of Nicolás Maduro's regime. It has been designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization by the U.S. due to its involvement in drug trafficking and its support for terrorist groups such as Tren de Aragua and the Cártel de Sinaloa.
What is the reward offered for the capture of Nicolás Maduro?
The U.S. government offers a reward of up to 15 million dollars for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. This reward is part of the U.S. efforts to combat narcoterrorism and criminal activities associated with the Venezuelan regime.
What implications do the U.S. sanctions against the Cartel of the Suns have?
The sanctions involve the freezing of assets and properties of individuals related to the Cartel de los Soles who are in U.S. territory or under the control of American citizens or institutions. Additionally, they prohibit any transactions with the sanctioned individuals and warn foreign financial entities about potential secondary sanctions if they collaborate with the cartel.
Filed under:
