The United States has doubled its reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million (£37.2m). US President Donald Trump’s administration accuses Maduro of being one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the decision on Thursday, linking Maduro directly to drug smuggling operations and organized crime networks. The move follows years of escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, marred elections in Venezuela, and a series of US criminal charges against Maduro and his associates.
Trump Administration Targets Maduro Over Drug Links
President Trump has long criticized Maduro, who returned to office in January after an election widely rejected by the international community for alleged vote-rigging. The US had already offered $25 million (£18.6m) for his capture. Bondi confirmed the amount had now doubled, accusing him of coordinating with Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang labelled a terrorist group by the US, and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.
DEA Seizures and Criminal Charges
Bondi claimed the US Drug Enforcement Administration had seized 30 tons of cocaine connected to Maduro and his allies, with nearly seven tons tied directly to him. During Trump’s first term, the US charged Maduro and other senior Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. The Justice Department alleged he worked with Colombia’s rebel group Farc to use cocaine as a weapon to flood the US.
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Why the US Wants Maduro — And Why the Reward Doubled
The US wants to arrest Nicolás Maduro because it accuses him of being one of the world’s biggest narco-traffickers. Washington alleges that Maduro has long worked with dangerous criminal groups, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, to smuggle massive quantities of cocaine. The US Department of Justice claims he even partnered with Colombia’s Farc rebels to use cocaine as a weapon to “flood” the American market.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the DEA has seized 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro’s network, with nearly seven tons tied directly to him. By doubling the reward from $25 million to $50 million, the Trump administration aims to increase global pressure, encourage informants to come forward, and speed up efforts to capture the Venezuelan leader.
Maduro Denies Allegations
Maduro has repeatedly denied involvement in drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government has not yet responded to the latest US claims. However, the president has faced repeated accusations of repressing opposition and silencing dissent through violence. He has held power since succeeding Hugo Chavez in 2013 and has weathered multiple waves of protests, including those after last year’s disputed election.
High-Profile Conviction Adds Pressure
In June, former Venezuelan military intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal, known as “El Pollo,” was convicted in the US on multiple drug trafficking charges after his arrest in Madrid. He fled Venezuela after urging the army to back an opposition candidate. Carvajal initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty, fuelling speculation he had provided US authorities with evidence against Maduro in exchange for a reduced sentence.
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International Sanctions
The UK and EU imposed sanctions on Maduro’s government earlier this year, further isolating his administration on the global stage. Mounting legal, political, and economic pressure, Maduro has retained a firm grip on Venezuela’s leadership.
