REPORT: Rubio mocks Kamala Harris for shocking double standard after she criticized Maduro arrest

January 5, 2026

From the New York Post: Secretary of State Marco Rubio ripped Kamala Harris and other Democrats over their criticism of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro’s arrest on Saturday.

Rubio — and other critics — pointed out that the Biden admin also offered a massive reward for Maduro’s arrest, they just failed to bring him in.

There had been a hefty price on Maduro’s head dating back to 2020, following his indictment on charges including narco-terrorism and drug-trafficking, but Rubio said no meaningful steps were taken besides dangling some cash.

“In the Biden administration, they had a $25 million reward for [Maduro’s] capture,” Rubio told NBC News’ Kristen Welker on Sunday.

“So, we have a reward for his capture, but we’re not going to enforce it? That’s the difference between President Trump and everybody else… it’s easy to make a wanted poster and say ‘$50 million for the capture of Maduro, but no want takes that seriously because you’re not going to do anything about it… President Trump did something about it,” Rubio declared.

WATCH BELOW:

.@SecRubio: “In the Biden Administration, they had a $25 million reward for [Maduro’s] capture — so we have a reward for his capture but we’re not going to enforce it? That’s the difference between President Trump and everybody else… President Trump did something about it.” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zdgFQSxjwG

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 4, 2026

Kamala Harris had released a scathing statement Saturday night, slamming the Trump administration for capturing Maduro – despite that the Biden administration had announced a $25 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro just one year ago. Harris wrote:

Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable.

That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price.

The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to.

This is not about drugs or democracy. It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman. If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies.

The President is putting troops at risk, spending billions, destabilizing a region, and offering no legal authority, no exit plan, and no benefit at home.

America needs leadership whose priorities are lowering costs for working families, enforcing the rule of law, strengthening alliances, and — most importantly — putting the American people first.

Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable.

That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that…

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 4, 2026