U.S. Doubles Reward for Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela Calls It ‘Ridiculous’
The United States has raised its reward for information leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to a record $50 million, doubling the previous $25 million bounty. Washington accuses the South American leader of heading a vast cocaine trafficking network, a charge Maduro has long denied.
Announcing the move, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described Maduro as “one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world” and “a threat to national security.” The reward is tied to federal drug trafficking charges, including allegations that Maduro worked with organized crime groups such as the Cartel of the Suns, Colombia’s FARC rebels, Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel.
According to U.S. officials, investigations link Maduro and his associates to the shipment of hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States over two decades. The DEA says it has seized 30 tons connected to the network, with nearly seven tons tied directly to Maduro. Authorities also claim to have confiscated over $700 million in assets, including Venezuelan government aircraft, since last September.
Despite the accusations, Maduro remains in power. A former bus driver and union leader, the 62-year-old has led Venezuela since 2013. He faces a potential life sentence if convicted in U.S. court.
Caracas has dismissed the latest U.S. announcement as political theater. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil called the bounty “pathetic” and “the most ridiculous smokescreen we have ever seen,” insisting the nation’s sovereignty “is not for sale.”
Tensions between the two nations have been high for years. The U.S. refuses to recognize Maduro’s last two election victories, citing the “deeply flawed” 2018 vote and alleging fraud in the July 2024 presidential race. In response, Washington has imposed sweeping economic sanctions, while Venezuelan officials accuse the U.S. of destabilizing the country.
On the same day the new bounty was announced, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said security forces had foiled a bomb attack in Caracas, blaming the U.S. and opposition groups for the alleged plot.
