MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico is not investigating alleged ties between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the Sinaloa Cartel and has no evidence of such ties, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday announced the U.S. was doubling its reward to $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest over allegations of drug trafficking and links to criminal groups.
When asked by a reporter about Washington specifically accusing Maduro of collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel, Sheinbaum said it was the first time she had heard of the topic.
“On Mexico’s part, there is no investigation that has to do with that,” Sheinbaum said.
“As we always say, if they have some evidence, show it. We do not have any proof,” she added.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil on Thursday called Washington’s announcement “the most ridiculous smokescreen ever seen.”
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration in February labeled the Sinaloa Cartel and other criminal groups as global terrorist organizations.
(Reporting by Raul Cortes Fernandez; Writing by Brendan O’Boyle; Editing by Kylie Madry)
