US Raises Pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro as New Term Begins (1)

The US on Friday ramped up pressure on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and his regime, including raising a reward for his arrest on narcotics charges and new sanctions on officials in response to his contested election and crackdown on opposition.

The announcement, which includes sanctions on the head of the country’s state oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela, comes the same day Maduro is being sworn in for another six-year term in Caracas.

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Nicolas Maduro greets members of the Russian delegation after his inauguration at Palacio Federal Legislativo in Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 10.

Photographer: Alfredo Lasry R/Getty Images

The reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, as well as Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello, ...