US blames Nicholas Maduro for several drug trafficking offenses, and plan to "flood America with cocaine" • $ 15 million prize placed on his head
Venezuelan ruler, Nicolas Maduro // Photo: Reuters
An indictment was filed Thursday in the United States against Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro and senior socialist officials, claiming Maduro was conspiring to "flood the US drug market."
According to the indictment, Maduro made Venezuela "a criminal entity in the service of drug traffickers and terrorist groups, while he and his allies stole billions from the South American economy."
Another indictment filed by a New York prosecutor accuses Maduro's socialist party chief Dioscadado Cabello of conspiring with members of the Colombian military and terrorist organizations in the state to "flood the U.S. cocaine market as a weapon against the United States."
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today announced a $ 55 million cash prize for any information that would capture and prosecute Maduro and his aides. Maduro himself had a $ 15 million reward.
US Attorney General William Barr said: "The Maduro regime is flooded with corruption and crime. While Venezuelans are languishing in poverty, Maduro's fanatical sect is filling their pockets with drug money and continuing their corruption and must put an end to it."
Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, brought Venezuela's economy to a complete collapse in a series of devastating economic decisions. Maduro turned Venezuela into a dictatorship after losing in parliamentary elections in 2015. Last year, huge protests took place in the country in protest of Maduro's rule but were suppressed by military force.
