Venezuela condemns US bounty for Maduro

CARACAS -- The Venezuelan government on Thursday condemned the announcement made by US Attorney General Pam Bondi to offer a reward of $50 million for information leading to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil described the action as a "crude political propaganda operation."

The minister denounced on social media that the offer lacked both legal and moral support, serving the political interests of the extreme right in the United States and Venezuela.

He recalled that Venezuela has repeatedly condemned covert operations and destabilizing plots by the United States, many of which have been foiled by the security agencies of the South American country.

"The pathetic 'bounty' is the most ridiculous smokescreen we have ever seen," Gil said, calling the move a media maneuver aimed at diverting attention from the real internal problems of the United States.