In a bold move ahead of Venezuela’s inauguration of President-elect Edmundo González, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Securing Timely Opportunities for Payment and Maximizing Awards for Detaining Unlawful Regime Officials (STOP MADURO) Act.
The legislation proposes increasing the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Nicolás Maduro to $100 million. This substantial increase, from the previous $15 million, aims to amplify international efforts to hold the Venezuelan leader accountable.
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The reward, under the legislation, would be funded through seized assets of Maduro, his regime officials, and their co-conspirators, totaling approximately $450 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Florida. No taxpayer dollars would be used.
Senator Scott emphasized that the U.S. stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, who he said have chosen González as their rightful leader, backed by opposition figure María Corina Machado.
“The Venezuelan people have made it overwhelmingly clear that President-elect Edmundo González is their rightful leader,” Scott stated. “They want a new day of freedom and democracy – the time of Maduro’s oppressive dictatorship is OVER. My bill, the STOP MADURO Act, will increase the reward to $100 million, using seized assets instead of U.S. taxpayer money, to bring an end to the tyranny caused by this narcoterrorist.”
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Scott credited the Trump administration for setting the precedent in 2020 with a $15 million reward and called for swift passage of the new legislation to increase pressure on Maduro.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) joined Scott in sponsoring the bill, reinforcing bipartisan calls for accountability in Venezuela.
“Nicolás Maduro is a corrupt dictator and thug,” Cruz said. “The STOP MADURO Act helps badly needed efforts to hold him and his regime accountable. I’m proud to cosponsor this effort and will continue to work with the incoming Trump administration and my colleagues in Congress on these issues.”
Cassidy echoed the sentiment, highlighting Maduro’s connections to international adversaries. “The people of Venezuela rightfully elected President-elect Edmundo González. His recognition as president is a contrast between a representative democracy and a dictatorship which aligns itself with narco-terrorists, Iran, Russia, and China. The U.S. should do everything we can to support the Venezuelan people in reclaiming their democracy.”
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The introduction of the STOP MADURO Act comes amid heightened tensions as Maduro attempts to hold onto power despite widespread international condemnation and domestic rejection of his regime. The bill leverages the significant assets seized from Maduro and his allies as a financial incentive to further isolate and weaken the embattled leader.
President-elect González, set to assume office with international backing, represents a turning point for the Venezuelan opposition in its fight against years of repression under Maduro. The U.S. legislation aims to align with González’s vision of restoring democracy and stability in Venezuela.
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