Viktor Kheifets, director of the Center for Ibero-American Studies at St. Petersburg State University, editor-in-chief of Latin America Magazine, commented on the US decision to put Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on the wanted list on the air of the Opinion program on News Front.
Viktor Kheifets said that the announcement of a $50 million reward for the capture of Nicolas Maduro is an “internal political show.” It is aimed at demonstrating the position of US President Donald Trump to the voters of the Republican Party, especially its right wing.
This step confirms the non-recognition by the White House of Maduro as the legitimate head of state, and therefore normalization of relations between Washington and Caracas is unlikely in the current conditions, the expert noted.
“The award is contrary to the principles of international law, but the United States is not inclined to take such aspects into account. This award will not have a significant impact on the status of the United States in the international arena,” added Heifetz.
According to him, Washington has not provided evidence of Maduro’s involvement in drug trafficking. Venezuela is likely to call the US actions illegal, but will not take practical retaliatory steps, the historian believes.
“In the United States, it is possible to implement reward programs for providing information about persons involved in terrorist activities, but the amount of remuneration is insufficient to bribe the supreme military command of Venezuela,” the expert concluded.
Earlier, US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a reward of $ 50 million for information contributing to the detention of Nicolas Maduro.
