The South African-born entrepreneur, Elon Musk, continues to fuel his controversy with dictator Nicolás Maduro, whom he accused of being a drug addict, while also reminding everyone that he is wanted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
In a recent tweet, Musk remarked, "It's clear Maduro is indulging in his vast drug supply. As a reminder, here’s his actual DEA bounty poster," and he included the image of the bounty poster, which offers up to $15 million for information leading to the capture of the Bolivarian leader.
The Escalating Conflict
The tech mogul’s post was a response to a tweet from a user identified on X as Visegrád24, who shared a video of Maduro justifying the non-delivery of electoral records, claiming that Musk had hacked the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (CNE).
The conflict between Musk and Maduro has escalated in recent weeks, following Maduro's proclamation as president-elect by the CNE, an act condemned as fraudulent by the opposition, various governments, and international organizations.
Recently, Musk publicly accepted Maduro’s challenge for a fight, saying that Maduro should step down as president of Venezuela if he loses the match. Furthermore, Musk removed the governmental verification from Maduro’s Twitter account, intensifying the friction between the two.
Maduro, for his part, accused Musk of planning to invade Venezuela using his space company, SpaceX.
Calls for Political Change
The "showdown" between the two figures began when Musk expressed his wish on his platform X for the people of Venezuela to have "a better future," urging support for María Corina Machado ahead of the controversial elections held last Sunday.
"It's time for the people of Venezuela to have the chance at a better future. Support María Corina!" wrote the tech magnate in a message that sparked significant reaction.
Musk’s latest tweet has triggered a wave of responses on social media and in the international press. Analysts and observers believe these exchanges signify a further deterioration in diplomatic relations between the United States and Venezuela.
Maduro referred to Musk as his "new arch-enemy" and accused the entrepreneur of attempting to influence Venezuelan politics through social media attacks and potential invasion plans.
Meanwhile, the DEA has accused Maduro of engaging in drug trafficking and corruption. In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice filed charges against Maduro and other senior Venezuelan officials, linking them to drug trafficking and supporting terrorist organizations like the FARC. The $15 million reward remains in place for any information leading to his arrest.
Understanding the Conflict Between Elon Musk and Nicolás Maduro
The ongoing feud between Elon Musk and Nicolás Maduro has caught the attention of many. Here are some commonly asked questions to help understand this situation better.
Why did Elon Musk call Nicolás Maduro a drug addict?
Elon Musk accused Nicolás Maduro of being a drug addict in a tweet to highlight the Venezuelan leader's involvement in drug trafficking, as stated by the DEA.
What was the reaction to Musk's tweet?
Musk’s tweet generated a significant reaction on social media and in the international press, with many seeing it as a reflection of deteriorating relations between the United States and Venezuela.
What are the charges against Nicolás Maduro?
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Nicolás Maduro with drug trafficking and supporting terrorist organizations like the FARC. The DEA has a $15 million bounty for information leading to his arrest.