Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart | Official U.S. House headshot
Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart and Debbie Wasserman Schultz have reintroduced a bipartisan bill in the House aimed at increasing the reward for the arrest and conviction of Nicolás Maduro to $100 million. This initiative is supported by Representatives Chris Smith, Carlos A. Giménez, María Elvira Salazar, and Darren Soto. The proposed increase in the bounty would be financed through assets already seized from Maduro and his regime.
The funding for this reward would not involve taxpayer money but rather utilize approximately $450 million worth of assets that have been confiscated from Maduro's regime, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Florida.
A corresponding Senate bill has also been put forward by Senators Rick Scott, Ted Cruz, and Bill Cassidy.
Díaz-Balart stated, "We must support the people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom as they courageously take to the streets to demand that rightful President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia take office. His overwhelming victory nearly six months ago, with the ballots to prove it, must be recognized."
He further criticized Maduro's actions: "Today, Maduro has made a mockery of democracy and the rule of law by anointing himself as President." He added that recent decisions by the Biden-Harris Administration have emboldened Maduro's regime.
Wasserman Schultz emphasized that "increasing the reward that leads to Maduro’s conviction will reinforce the actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration." She highlighted efforts made by this administration to apply international pressure on Maduro's regime and support democratic movements in Venezuela.
The legislation aims to send a strong message against impunity while backing pro-democracy efforts in Venezuela.
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