DEA Offers $15M Reward for Arrest of Venezuela's Defense Minister

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced a $15 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López. This announcement comes amid allegations that López conspired to distribute cocaine aboard an aircraft registered in the United States.

In 2019, a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia indicted López for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine on a U.S.-registered aircraft. The charges allege that he played a significant role in a drug trafficking operation that has connections to multiple countries.

This development marks a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to hold Venezuelan officials accountable for drug trafficking. The DEA"s reward underscores the seriousness of the allegations against López, who has been a key figure in the Venezuelan military and government under President Nicolás Maduro.

As the U.S. intensifies its focus on drug trafficking networks linked to Venezuela, the implications of López"s indictment could reverberate throughout the region. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of dismantling such operations for public safety. For more on related coverage, see our previous reports on global political tensions.