In this May 24, 2018 photo, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, right, walks with his Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez as they review the troops during a military parade at Fort Tiuna in Caracas, Venezuela. (ARIANA CUBILLOS / AP)

WASHINGTON - The US Department of Justice on Thursday indicted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his aides on narco-terrorism charges, a rare move to further pressure the Maduro government.

The US has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Maduro government in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido

US Attorney General William Barr announced the indictment at a news briefing, accusing Maduro and other Venezuelan officials of conspiring "with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities."

Meanwhile, the US State Department offered a reward of up to US$15 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Maduro.

US media reported that the indictment of a head of state was highly unusual, and this action served as an escalation of the Trump administration's campaign to pressure Maduro to step down.

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The United States has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Maduro government in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido.

This image provided by the US Department of Justice shows a reward poster for Nicolas Maduro that was released, March 26, 2020. (PHOTO / DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE VIA AP)

Other Venezuelan officials whose indictments were announced on Thursday include Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, senior socialist leader Diosdado Cabello, and the chief justice of the country’s supreme court, Maikel Moreno, who was charged with money laundering. The US government is offering US$10 million for information leading to Cabello’s arrest.

Thursday’s charges altogether carry a maximum penalty of up to life in prison. Asked whether the US government wants to capture Maduro dead or alive, Barr said: “We want him captured so he can face justice in US court.”

With Reuters inputs