The Trump administration has increased the reward for the arrest of Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro, to $50 million. The administration accuses Maduro of being one of the world’s largest narcotraffickers and working with cartels to supply the US with fentanyl-laced cocaine. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated in a video announcement that Maduro will not escape justice under President Trump’s leadership and will be held accountable for his crimes.
Maduro was indicted in Manhattan federal court in 2020, during the first Trump presidency, on charges of narcoterrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. At the time, the US offered a $15 million reward for his arrest, which was later raised to $25 million by the Biden administration.
Despite the significant reward, Maduro remains in power after defying the US, the European Union, and several Latin American governments who condemn his reelection as a sham. The Trump administration has also made deals to secure the release of Americans jailed in Caracas in exchange for deporting migrants to El Salvador. Additionally, the White House reversed its stance and allowed US oil producer Chevron to resume drilling in Venezuela after previously blocking it due to sanctions.
The justice department has seized over $700 million in assets linked to Maduro, including two private jets, and traced 7 million tons of seized cocaine directly to the leftist leader. Maduro’s office has not responded to requests for comment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/07/trump-venezuela-maduro-arrest-bounty
