Find out how Representatives are pushing to raise the reward for Nicolás Maduro’s arrest to $100 million, leveraging seized assets to bolster international efforts against his regime
In a bold move to heighten pressure on Venezuela’s authoritarian regime, Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Mario Díaz-Balart have spearheaded a significant legislative initiative to increase the reward for the capture and conviction of Nicolás Maduro. This proposed bill, introduced on September 18, seeks to boost the current $15 million bounty on Nicolás Maduro to a substantial $100 million, a shift aimed at intensifying international and domestic efforts to bring the controversial leader to justice.
This legislative effort, supported by a coalition of bipartisan representatives, marks a crucial step in the ongoing struggle against Maduro’s oppressive regime. The proposed reward increase is to be funded through assets already seized from Maduro and his associates, rather than taxpayer dollars. According to federal officials, approximately $450 million in assets from the Maduro regime have been confiscated, providing a substantial pool to fund this initiative.
The bill also has a counterpart in the Senate, introduced by Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, further demonstrating the broad political support for this initiative. By leveraging seized assets to fund the reward, this bill aims to put additional pressure on Maduro, whose regime has been accused of severe human rights violations, narco-terrorism, and widespread political repression.
Strengthening the fight against Maduro’s regime
The legislative push to increase the reward for Nicolás Maduro’s capture comes at a critical time. Despite overwhelming international condemnation and severe sanctions, the Maduro regime has continued its crackdown on dissent and democratic processes in Venezuela. The bill’s co-sponsor, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, emphasized that the enhanced reward would serve as a powerful tool to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to confront Maduro’s regime.
Wasserman Schultz highlighted the administration’s initiatives, including expanded sanctions and international pressure, as key components in the broader strategy to support Venezuelan democracy and uphold human rights.
The proposed increase in the reward aims to build on these efforts by offering a more substantial incentive for information leading to Maduro’s capture. This move is expected to strengthen the U.S. government’s stance against the regime and encourage further international cooperation in addressing the crisis in Venezuela.
A bipartisan push for justice
The introduction of this bill is a testament to the bipartisan consensus on the need to address the challenges posed by Maduro’s regime. Co-sponsor Representative Mario Díaz-Balart voiced concerns about the Biden-Harris Administration’s approach to the Venezuelan crisis, suggesting that recent policy adjustments may have emboldened the regime.
Díaz-Balart criticized the administration’s decision to ease certain sanctions, arguing that it has jeopardized U.S. national security and strengthened ties between Maduro’s regime and adversaries such as Russia, Iran, Cuba, and China. He called for a more robust response, including the proposed increase in the bounty, to support the Venezuelan people’s fight for freedom and counteract the negative impacts of the regime’s actions.
In addition to Wasserman Schultz and Díaz-Balart, the bill is supported by Representatives Chris Smith, Carlos A. Giménez, Jenniffer González-Colon, María Elvira Salazar, Mike Waltz, and Darren Soto. Their collective efforts underscore the bipartisan nature of this initiative and the shared commitment to addressing the challenges posed by Maduro’s authoritarian rule.
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