Up the Stakes: Cruz, Scott Bill Grants $100M for Info Leading to Maduro Arrest

Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have reintroduced legislation upping the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Venezuelan dictator, Nicolas Maduro. The current maximum reward is $15 million, but it would increase to $100 million with the bill's passage.

The bill is known as the Securing Timely Opportunities for Payment and Maximizing Awards for Detaining Unlawful Regime Officials (STOP MADURO) Act. The reward money would not be sourced from taxpayer dollars, but rather from already-held seized assets from the Maduro regime. The U.S. Attorney's Office in South Florida has already confiscated $450 million.

Courtesy of Sen. Scott's Office

Sen. Cruz mentioned that this legislation increases the pressure on Maduro in a "badly needed effort" for accountability.

“Nicolás Maduro is a corrupt dictator and thug. The STOP MADURO Act helps badly needed efforts to hold him and his regime accountable," said Sen. Cruz. "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.”

As for Sen. Scott, he said that the Venezuelan people want a "new day of freedom and democracy" and his bill helps foster that notion.

“The Venezuelan people have made it overwhelmingly clear that President-elect Edmundo González is their rightful leader in an effort led by opposition leader María Corina Machado. They want a new day of freedom and democracy – the time of Maduro’s oppressive dictatorship is OVER," said Sen. Scott. "In support of the people of Venezuela, the United States must stand strongly against any attempt by Maduro to illegitimately cling to power through violence or repression, and make way for President-elect González to bring democracy, freedom and opportunity back to Venezuela."

The Florida senator continued, sharing that this reward increase will help put an end to the Maduro regime.

"My bill, the STOP MADURO Act, will increase the maximum reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Maduro to $100 million, using seized assets instead of U.S. taxpayer money to bring an end to the tyranny caused by this narcoterrorist. In 2020, the Trump administration did the right thing by offering a reward of up to $15 million, but it’s time to up the ante and get this good bill passed ASAP," concluded Scott.

Finally, Sen Cassidy shared, “The people of Venezuela rightfully elected President-Elect Edmundo Gonzalez. His recognition as president is a contrast between a representative democracy and a dictatorship which aligns itself with narco-terrorists, Iran, Russia, and China. Only the Venezuelan people can seize this power back, but the U.S. should do everything we can to support this effort.”