Venezuela's Maduro sworn in as US raises bounty to $25 million

CARACAS, — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was inaugurated for a third term on Friday despite widespread international criticism, allegations of electoral fraud, and escalating tensions with the United States. His presidency, now in its 12th year, has been marked by a severe economic and humanitarian crisis.

Maduro was declared the winner of Venezuela’s controversial July 2023 election by the nation’s electoral authority and supreme court. However, the detailed vote counts confirming his victory have not been released, fueling accusations of irregularities.

Opposition groups claim ballot-level data points to a decisive victory for Edmundo Gonzalez, who is recognized as Venezuela’s president-elect by several countries, including the U.S.

International election monitors have deemed the July vote undemocratic. Gonzalez, who fled to Spain in September following threats to his safety, has been rallying support across the Americas. Meanwhile, his ally María Corina Machado, now in hiding within Venezuela, called for continued resistance.

In a video message released Friday, Machado urged Gonzalez to postpone his return to Venezuela, citing concerns for his safety. “Edmundo will assume the role of constitutional president when the time is right,” she said.

“Today is not that day. His safety is critical for the eventual restoration of democracy.” She also called for widespread street protests to oppose Maduro’s government.

Maduro’s administration, which has accused the opposition of attempting to overthrow the government, has offered a $100,000 reward for Gonzalez’s capture and vowed to arrest him if he returns.

Speaking from the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez vowed to press forward. “Soon, very soon, we will enter Venezuela and bring this tragedy to an end,” he said, urging the military to disobey orders from Maduro that he called “illegal.”

In Washington, the U.S. government raised its reward for Maduro’s capture to $25 million, citing drug trafficking charges. Similar rewards were announced for key figures in Maduro’s administration, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.

The move came as part of a coordinated effort with Britain, the European Union, and Canada, all of which imposed sanctions targeting top officials, including members of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council and the state oil company PDVSA.

Maduro dismissed the sanctions during his inauguration speech, labeling them an act of “economic warfare.” “The outgoing U.S. administration is desperate for revenge,” he said.

The U.S., however, reiterated its stance. “The Venezuelan people and the world understand the truth—Maduro lost the 2024 presidential election,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. “We do not recognize him as the legitimate president of Venezuela.”

Later on Friday, Defense Minister Padrino led a ceremony reaffirming the military’s allegiance to Maduro, a crucial pillar of his grip on power.

The situation underscores the ongoing political turmoil in Venezuela, with the international community divided over how to address the crisis and restore democracy.

(With files from Reuters)