Trump administration has increased its reward for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of running one of the world’s largest narcotics trafficking operations and working with cartels to send fentanyl-laced cocaine into the United States.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the decision in a video statement on Thursday, vowing that Maduro would “not escape justice” for what she described as “despicable crimes”, report agencies.
Bondi said US authorities have seized more than $700 million in assets tied to Maduro, including two private aircraft, and traced nearly seven tons of confiscated cocaine to the Venezuelan leader.
In response, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil denounced the bounty as “pathetic” and labeled Bondi’s remarks a “crude political propaganda operation.” He accused her of seeking to distract from her own controversies, including public backlash over the Justice Department’s recent confirmation that a long-rumored “client list” tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein does not exist.
Maduro was indicted in Manhattan federal court in 2020, during Trump’s first term, along with several close associates on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. At the time, Washington offered a $15 million bounty for his arrest. The Biden administration later raised that to $25 million, matching the reward once placed on Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Maduro has remained in power despite facing US, EU and Latin American condemnation over his 2024 reelection, widely dismissed as fraudulent. His political opponent was recognized by many countries as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. Last month, the Trump administration negotiated a deal with Caracas to free 10 detained Americans in exchange for Venezuela receiving deported migrants from the US. Soon after, the White House lifted restrictions on US oil company Chevron, allowing it to resume drilling in Venezuela despite earlier sanctions.