The U.S. government has escalated its pursuit of Nicolás Maduro, announcing a $50 million reward for information leading to his capture. Accusations against Maduro include participation in drug smuggling operations, prompting Venezuelan officials to dismiss the U.S. claims as political propaganda.
US Increases Reward for Nicolás Maduro to $50 Million Amid Drug Trafficking Allegations
US Increases Reward for Nicolás Maduro to $50 Million Amid Drug Trafficking Allegations
The United States has intensified its efforts to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by doubling the reward for information on his arrest, citing links to extensive drug trafficking activities.
The U.S. government has announced a substantial increase to its reward for information leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, raising it from $25 million to $50 million (£37.2 million). This move is part of the U.S. strategy to label Maduro as one of the globe's premier drug traffickers. U.S. President Donald Trump has long been a vocal critic of Maduro, particularly following a January election that faced extensive allegations of vote rigging, rejected by the international community.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Maduro is directly linked to drug trafficking activities and organized crime. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil reacted sharply, terming the reward "pathetic" and accusing the U.S. of employing political propaganda to divert attention from domestic issues, particularly those surrounding sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Under Trump's direction, the U.S. government has previously charged Maduro and his top officials with serious crimes, which include narco-terrorism and drug smuggling. Authorities allege that Maduro has colluded with the Colombian rebel group Farc, accusing them of using cocaine as a weapon to inundate the U.S. with narcotics. In a recent video announcement, Bondi went further, alleging Maduro's coordination with the Tren de Aragua gang—a Venezuelan criminal organization designated as a terrorist group by the Trump administration—as well as the notorious Sinaloa Cartel based in Mexico.
Bondi claimed that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had intercepted 30 tons of cocaine that could be traced back to Maduro, with nearly seven tons directly linked to the president himself. Despite these allegations, Maduro has consistently refuted U.S. claims related to drug trafficking.
The latest announcement is a continuation of the ongoing tumultuous relationship between the U.S. and the Venezuelan government. However, it remains unclear how the U.S. plans to operationalize this new reward in a way that might produce results. Maduro, who has maintained a stronghold on power since succeeding Hugo Chavez in 2013, has been accused repeatedly of repressing dissent and stifling opposition voices through violent means.
His grip on Caracas has withstood various domestic protests since the controversial election outcome last year. Additionally, in June, Hugo Carvajal, the former head of Venezuela's military intelligence, was convicted of drug-trafficking offenses after his arrest in Madrid, heightening speculation about potential cooperation between him and U.S. authorities.
The U.K. and the European Union have also enforced sanctions against Maduro's regime following his contentious return to office earlier this year.
