International Tensions Soar on Inauguration Day
In a bold diplomatic move that heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, the United States doubled down on its pressure against Nicolas Maduro, increasing its reward for his capture to $25 million on the very day he was sworn in for a controversial third term as Venezuela’s president.
The timing of the announcement sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, as Maduro took his oath of office amid an ongoing six-month election dispute and widespread international condemnation. The increased bounty, up from $15 million, stems from standing drug trafficking charges that Maduro has consistently rejected since his 2020 indictment.
The political landscape in Venezuela has grown increasingly treacherous for opposition figures. Edmundo Gonzalez, widely recognized internationally as the legitimate president-elect, was forced to flee to Spain in September. His ally, Maria Corina Machado, has gone into hiding within Venezuela after her first public appearance since August ended in what her party describes as a violent confrontation.
According to judicial NGO Foro Penal, the government has detained 42 people for political reasons since Tuesday, marking an intensification of the crackdown on dissent. The government has countered these claims by announcing the release of 1,515 protesters who were arrested following the disputed election.
International response
The U.S. action is part of a coordinated international response. Britain and the European Union each imposed sanctions on 15 Venezuelan officials, including members of the National Electoral Council and security forces. Canada followed suit with measures against 14 current and former officials.
The U.S. Treasury Department also announced rewards of $25 million for Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and $15 million for Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, along with sanctions against eight other officials, including the head of state oil company PDVSA, Hector Obregon.
Economic turmoil persists
Behind the political drama, Venezuela’s economic crisis continues to devastate its population. Triple-digit inflation and unreliable public services have driven more than 7 million Venezuelans to seek opportunities abroad, creating one of the largest refugee crises in recent history.
During his inauguration speech at the national assembly in Caracas, Maduro remained defiant. “The outgoing government of the United States doesn’t know how to take revenge on us,” he declared while promising that his new term would be “a period of peace, of prosperity, of equality, and of the new democracy.”
The ceremony, attended by approximately 2,000 invitees from 125 countries, including staunch allies Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega, showcased Maduro’s continuing international support despite Western isolation.
As Venezuela enters this new chapter, the opposition remains determined to challenge Maduro’s authority. Gonzalez has promised to return to Venezuela to claim his mandate, despite government threats of arrest and a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture. The stage appears set for continued conflict between Maduro’s government and its opponents, both domestic and international, as Venezuela’s crisis deepens.