Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has taken a bold step ahead of Venezuela’s upcoming inauguration of President-elect Edmundo González by introducing the STOP MADURO Act. This legislation aims to secure timely opportunities for payment and maximize awards for detaining unlawful regime officials.
The proposed legislation seeks to boost international efforts in holding Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro accountable by increasing the reward for information that leads to his arrest and conviction to $100 million. This significant increase, up from the previous amount of $15 million, aims to amplify the incentives for individuals to come forward with valuable information.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Florida has stated that the reward, as per the legislation, will be financed using the seized assets of Maduro, his regime officials, and their co-conspirators. The total amount for this reward is estimated to be around $450 million. It is important to note that no taxpayer dollars will be utilized for this purpose.
Senator Scott highlighted the unwavering support of the United States for the Venezuelan people. He emphasized that the people themselves have chosen González as their legitimate leader, with the backing of 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.”
Scott praised the Trump administration for establishing the precedent in 2020 by offering a reward of $15 million. He urged for the timely approval of the new legislation to further intensify the pressure on Maduro.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have come together with Scott to sponsor the bill, showing a bipartisan effort to hold Venezuela accountable.
“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.”
The STOP MADURO Act has been introduced at a time of increased tensions, as Maduro continues to cling to power despite facing widespread criticism both internationally and domestically. This legislation aims to utilize the substantial assets seized from Maduro and his associates as a means to isolate and undermine his increasingly embattled regime.
President-elect González is poised to take office with international support, marking a significant milestone for the Venezuelan opposition in their struggle against the oppressive regime of Maduro. The legislation proposed by the United States seeks to align itself with González’s vision of revitalizing democracy and fostering stability in Venezuela.
