Mexican President Defends Alleged Narco-Terrorist Maduro Amid U.S. Charges [WATCH]

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly defended Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro this week following new U.S. charges accusing him of leading a narco-terrorist organization and trafficking drugs into the United States.

Earlier in the week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it had doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest from $25 million to $50 million.

Nicolás Maduro and his cronies think they’re untouchable. They’re wrong. We’re increasing our reward offer for Maduro to up to $50 million. https://t.co/mEomEgWLcT pic.twitter.com/ltq1cdMUji

— US Dept of State INL (@StateINL) August 8, 2025

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The department alleges that Maduro has served for more than a decade as a leader of the Cartel de los Soles, which it designates as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group.

The U.S. Treasury Department officially designated the cartel as an SDGT on July 25, 2025.

The DOJ press release stated, “For over a decade, Maduro has been a leader of Cartel de los Soles, which is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States.”

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The statement also accused Maduro of undermining democracy in Venezuela, noting his claim to victory in the July 28, 2024, presidential election despite offering no evidence of such a win.

The United States has refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s president and does not acknowledge the 2024 election results he declared.

Speaking at her daily morning press conference, Sheinbaum dismissed the U.S. allegations and said Mexico has no active investigations linking Maduro to cartel operations in the country.

“As we always have said, if they have any proof, then they must show it,” Sheinbaum said.

“We have no proof related to that.”

Sheinbaum has long maintained close political ties with leftist governments in Latin America and is considered a political ally of Maduro.

Her administration has positioned itself as resistant to U.S. pressure on issues involving foreign leaders aligned with socialist movements in the region.

The new $50 million bounty comes amid a broader U.S. campaign against the Cartel de los Soles.

U.S. officials allege the organization is deeply entrenched within Venezuela’s political and military leadership, facilitating large-scale drug shipments to the United States.

The U.S. indictment builds on earlier charges filed in 2020, when prosecutors first accused Maduro of using his position to assist in drug trafficking operations.

The Justice Department claims these activities have continued, with Maduro maintaining influence over cartel operations while consolidating his political power at home.

In addition to defending Maduro, Sheinbaum also criticized the United States over reports that President Donald Trump may be considering authorizing U.S. military force against Mexican drug cartels.

Without citing specific evidence, Sheinbaum claimed the reports were part of an effort to justify an “invasion” of Mexico.

“We cooperate, collaborate, but there will be no invasion,” Sheinbaum said Friday.

“That is off the table, absolutely off the table.”

Sheinbaum’s remarks highlight the ongoing tension between her administration and Washington over security and foreign policy.

While the U.S. has prioritized targeting transnational criminal organizations through sanctions, law enforcement operations, and potential military action, Mexico’s government has repeatedly signaled its opposition to foreign military involvement on its soil.

The U.S. continues to pursue its case against Maduro and the Cartel de los Soles, emphasizing its willingness to offer unprecedented rewards for information leading to arrests in cases involving high-level narcotics and terrorism charges.