As the political crisis in Venezuela deepens and the repression against the protests becomes more violent, ideas on social media to solve the situation also abound. One notable suggestion comes from Erik D. Prince, founder of the private military contractor formerly known as Blackwater and considered the biggest private security firm in the world.
Prince's posted his proposal on X (Twitter,) reminding the social media community that both Chavismo leaders Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello are wanted men by the U.S. government, as well as several officials. They not only have arrest warrants against them, but a reward as high as $55 million.
The reward for Maduro and Cabello's capture
Currently, the U.S. State Department offers up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Nicolás Maduro. Diosdado Cabello, along with other high-ranking Venezuelan officials, faces a reward of up to $10 million for similar information.
These officials are charged with serious crimes, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, as they are alleged to have conspired with the Colombian guerrilla group FARC to flood the U.S. with cocaine.
Prince's proposal underscores his belief that higher rewards would expedite the capture of these officials, using funds already frozen in U.S. banks from the Venezuelan regime. He voiced his opinion on social media, stating, "If Kamala Harris and Joe Biden want to actually support freedom and legitimate elections in Venezuela, they should elevate the bounties to $100 million each on these already wanted criminals, Nicolas Maduro and Diosdado Cabello."
If @KamalaHarris and @JoeBiden want to actually support Freedom and legitimate elections in Venezuela they should elevate the bounties to $100m each on these already wanted criminals @NicolasMaduro and @dcabellor and all the others in their cartel. Then sit back and watch the… pic.twitter.com/hdH1NUG20I
— ErikDPrince (@realErikDPrince) July 31, 2024
Blackwater, rebranded as Academi, and later as part of Constellis Holdings, has a controversial history, including its involvement in the Nisour Square massacre in Baghdad. Despite this, Prince remains influential in security and defense circles, pushing for aggressive measures against international criminal activities.
The U.S. government's Rewards for Justice program, which administers these bounties, continues to seek valuable information that could lead to the dismantling of these criminal networks. With significant rewards already in place, the potential increase suggested by Prince aims to intensify efforts to bring these high-profile fugitives to justice.
Current Rewards for Nicolás Maduro, Diosdado Cabello, and Other Venezuelan Officials
The United States government has set substantial rewards for the capture of key Venezuelan officials involved in narco-terrorism and drug trafficking activities. Here is a breakdown of the current rewards:
- Nicolás Maduro: The U.S. State Department offers a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nicolás Maduro. Maduro is charged with leading a narco-terrorism partnership with the FARC, which involved large-scale cocaine trafficking to the United States.
- Diosdado Cabello: The reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Diosdado Cabello is up to $10 million. Cabello, head of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly, is a key figure in the Cartel of the Suns, which allegedly uses its power to facilitate drug trafficking.
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Other Officials: Several other high-ranking Venezuelan officials also have significant rewards for their capture:
- Clíver Alcalá Cordones: Up to $10 million. Former Venezuelan general, linked to drug trafficking.
- Tareck El Aissami: Up to $5 million. Venezuela's Vice President for the Economy and former Minister of Interior and Justice, involved in drug trafficking and evasion of U.S. sanctions.
These rewards reflect the U.S. government's commitment to dismantling the criminal networks within the Venezuelan regime and bringing those responsible for international drug trafficking to justice.
The situation in Venezuela
Prince's comment comes at the heels of days of inflammatory speeches by Maduro, Cabello and other Chavismo leaders aimed at opposition leader María Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, as the country remains engulfed in protests after Sunday's presidential elections.
No sé si reír o llorar. Maduro puso en manos de su Tribunal de bolsillo el Supremo de Justicia resolver el resultado de las elecciones presidenciales. Dice que entregará al Tribunal el 100% de las actas y que los demás partidos y candidatos deben hacer lo mismo. pic.twitter.com/s0xrtRVkbO
— Patricia Janiot (@patriciajaniot) July 31, 2024
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