Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States saved $50 million following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, arguing that the reward previously offered for Maduro’s arrest will no longer need to be paid. Rubio made the remarks during an 11 a.m. news conference Friday at Mar-a-Lago, following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela.
Why It Matters
The old bounty for Maduro:
The comments frame the Venezuela operation as both a legal and financial outcome for the United States, reinforcing Washington’s long-standing position that Maduro is not Venezuela’s legitimate president and remains a fugitive under U.S. law.
What to Know
Speaking at the Mar-a-Lago briefing, Rubio said Maduro was indicted in the United States in 2020 and has since been considered a fugitive of American justice. He noted that a $50 million reward had been attached to Maduro’s capture, adding that the U.S. effectively “saved $50 million” now that Maduro is in custody, a moment highlighted in coverage circulating from the event via Polymarket.
Rubio said Maduro is not recognized as Venezuela’s legitimate president by the United States, a stance he said has remained consistent across multiple administrations. He added that Maduro is also not recognized by the European Union or by numerous countries worldwide.
The remarks followed a U.S. operation in Venezuela announced earlier by President Donald Trump, who said the strike resulted in Maduro and his wife being captured and flown out of the country. The operation, carried out in coordination with U.S. law enforcement, was outlined in a prior statement from the White House, which set the context for Friday’s news conference.
What People Are Saying
During the exchange at Mar-a-Lago, Trump interjected as Rubio discussed the reward, joking that no one else should be allowed to claim it and that “nobody deserves it but us.” The interaction, captured on video from the conference, was shared by The Blaze.
What Happens Next
U.S. officials said more details about the Venezuela operation and Maduro’s legal status will be released following the briefing. The administration is expected to outline next steps related to Maduro’s prosecution and the broader implications for U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
