President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Friday as the embattled president took office for a contested third term amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud. Trump’s remarks come as the U.S. ramps up sanctions against Maduro’s regime, increasing the reward for information leading to his arrest to $25 million.
Despite significant international condemnation and domestic unrest, Maduro’s inauguration solidifies his grip on power until 2031. His re-election in July was marred by accusations of vote rigging and the absence of verifiable ballot-box transparency, leading U.S. lawmakers to label him a dictator.
Opposition Roars Back, Machado Detained
On Thursday, opposition leader María Corina Machado, long in hiding, re-emerged to join massive anti-Maduro demonstrations in Caracas, demanding that opposition candidate Edmundo González be recognized as the rightful president.
In a dramatic turn of events, Machado was briefly detained after security forces violently intercepted her convoy. Reports from the Associated Press indicate she was coerced into recording multiple videos before her release. The content of these recordings remains undisclosed.
Trump swiftly condemned her detention, taking to social media:
“Venezuelan democracy activist Maria Corina Machado and President-elect Gonzalez are peacefully expressing the voices and will of the Venezuelan people,” Trump wrote. “These freedom fighters should not be harmed—they must stay safe and alive.”
Maduro’s supporters deny Machado was arrested, a claim met with skepticism by observers.
U.S. Backs Opposition, Rejects Maduro’s Claim
In a show of solidarity, the Biden administration renewed its support for Venezuela’s democratic movement. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared:
“Today, Nicolás Maduro held an illegitimate inauguration in a desperate bid to cling to power. The Venezuelan people know the truth—Maduro lost the 2024 election and has no claim to the presidency.”
Blinken reiterated that President-elect González should be sworn in immediately, urging a peaceful transition. “The United States rejects the National Electoral Council’s fraudulent announcement and will continue to support efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela,” he stated.
Expanded Sanctions and a Record Bounty
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) delivered a fresh wave of sanctions targeting top officials complicit in Maduro’s authoritarian rule. The sanctions list includes Hector Obregon, head of PDVSA, Venezuela’s state oil company, and Transportation Minister Ramon Velasquez.
The crackdown extends to senior military and police figures responsible for human rights abuses. The U.S. also raised the stakes in its pursuit of Maduro and his inner circle:
- Nicolás Maduro: $25 million bounty
- Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello: $25 million
- Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino: $15 million
Blinken confirmed that visa restrictions now apply to over 2,000 regime-aligned individuals.
Uncertain Future
As political tensions boil over, the world watches closely. Will the heightened sanctions and international pressure be enough to dislodge Maduro? With his defiant rhetoric and tightening grip on power, Venezuela’s democratic fate remains perilously uncertain.