US announces $25m reward for arrest of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro

The US has announced it will offer a $25m (£20.4m) reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on the day he is sworn in for a third six-year term.

The opening ceremony was overshadowed by criticism from international and opposition leaders in Venezuela.

Rewards have also been offered for the arrest or conviction of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. A new award of up to $15m to Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino has also been issued.

The UK also imposed sanctions on 15 Venezuelan officials, including judges, members of the security forces and military officials.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said those punished were those responsible for “undermining democracy, the rule of law, and violating human rights”.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy went on to describe Maduro’s government as “corrupt”.

Also on Friday, the EU said it was increasing “sanctions” against Venezuela due to the “lack of progress … leading to the restoration of democracy and the rule of law”. The council also approved 15 other Venezuelan officials.

Maduro and his government have repeatedly criticized many of the criticisms of Western countries and opposition leaders. He has yet to comment on the recent sanctions.

On Friday, President Maduro was sworn in before parliament, promising that his third six-year term would be a “time of peace”.

“The new president’s term will be a time of peace, prosperity, equality, and a new democracy,” he said.

“I swear on history, I swear on my life, and I will fulfill it,” he added.

The results of the July 28 elections were widely rejected by countries, including Brazil and Colombia, some of Venezuela’s leftist neighbors.

The opening itself was tightly controlled. Most of Venezuela’s official television channels are not allowed inside and foreign journalists are not allowed to enter the country.

Maduro has few remaining allies including Iran, China and Russia but is isolating himself from the rest of the world.

The leaders of Cuba and Nicaragua were the only leaders present at the inauguration.

The 62-year-old was declared the winner of last July’s presidential election but the opposition and many countries, including the US, rejected the results and recognized that Edmundo González, who was elected as the opposition leader who was released from exile, is the legitimate president.

González fled Venezuela in September and lives in Spain, but this month he traveled to America to promote international aid.

Maduro’s government has issued an arrest warrant for him, offering a $100,000 (£81,755) reward for information leading to his arrest.

This comes as Maduro was declared the winner of July’s presidential election by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE), which is close to the government.

Machado, who González replaced in the election after being barred from running on his own, was also targeted. He hid the controversial election, and made his last public appearance in August before Thursday’s meeting.

Additional reporting by Vanessa Silva.