US increases reward for information leading to arrest of Venezuelan president - as he begins third term
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The US has announced it has increased its reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In a statement, the US treasury said up to $25m is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Mr Maduro and his named interior minister Diosdado Cabello.
Up to $15m is also being offered for information on the incoming defence minister Vladimir Padrino. Further sanctions have also been introduced against the South American country's state-owned oil company and airline. The reward was announced as Mr Maduro was sworn in for a third successive term as the Venezuelan president, following a disputed election win last year.
Elvis Amoroso, head of the National Electoral Council, said at the time Mr Maduro had secured 51% of the vote, beating his opponent Edmundo Gonzalez, who won 44%. But while Venezuela's electoral authority and top court declared him the winner, tallies confirming Mr Maduro's win were never released. The country's opposition also insists that ballot box-level tallies show won Mr Gonzalez in a landslide.
Nationwide protests broke out over the dispute, with a brawl breaking out in the capital Caracas when dozens of police in riot gear blocked the protests and officers used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro declares Christmas to begin in October.
