"The Department of Justice is announcing the unsealing of a superseding indictment filed in the Southern District of New York against four defendants, including Nicolas Maduro as well as the current head of Venezuela's constituent assembly, the former director of military intelligence and former high-ranking general for their involvement in narco-terrorism," Barr said.
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman added that Maduro faces a minimum of 50 years in prison and a maximum life sentence for the charges.
Besides bringing criminal charges, the US State Department offered a series of rewards for information on five top officials in the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, including $15 million for Maduro himself.
"The Department is offering a reward of up to $15 million for information related to Nicolas Maduro Moros. The Department is also offering rewards of up to $10 million each for information related to four other Venezuelan officials," the release said.
According to US officials, Maduro was the leader of a cocaine trafficking group called "The Cartel of the Suns" that involved senior politicians and Venezuelan military and judiciary members.
The announcement comes hot on the heels after US Senator Marco Rubio announced the move in his Twitter.
Today, Nicolas Maduro will be indicted by the Justice Department and charged with narco-terrorism," Rubio said via Twitter.
Today @NicolasMaduro will be indicted by the @TheJusticeDept & charged with narco-terrorism
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 26, 2020
The designation and the charges are expected to be made later on Thursday, while US Attorney General William Barr is expected to make the announcement at a news conference.
