The recent capture of Nicolás Maduro, the embattled figurehead of Venezuela, has sent shockwaves through political circles, particularly among Democrats. Their reactions were far from unexpected for those on the right. The news of Maduro’s apprehension by U.S. forces on Saturday sparked immediate and intense reactions from Democratic politicians, who were quick to express their dismay.

Maduro, often labeled as an illegitimate leader, has been a prominent figure on the United States’ watchlist due to serious accusations including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. RedState highlighted the predictable outrage from the usual political voices, who were clearly unsettled by the former Venezuelan dictator’s arrest.

The stakes surrounding Maduro’s capture have been high for some time. During the last year of President Trump’s first term, a $15 million bounty was set for his capture. This figure was subsequently increased to $25 million towards the end of President Biden’s tenure. Under President Trump’s second administration, the bounty climbed further to an astonishing $50 million, underscoring the priority placed on bringing Maduro to justice.

A bounty of $15 million was put on Maduro in the last year of the first Trump administration, something that was increased to $25 million in the final weeks of Joe Biden’s sole term in office, and which was raised one more time to $50 million after President Trump took office for his second term.