In a significant escalation, the U.S. has doubled the reward for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro as accusations of narcotrafficking intensify.
US Increases Reward to $50M for Arrest of Nicolás Maduro
US Increases Reward to $50M for Arrest of Nicolás Maduro
Washington ramps up efforts against Venezuelan president, citing ties to drug trafficking.
The United States government has announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom it labels as one of the foremost narco-traffickers globally. This move, which doubles a previous reward of $25 million, reflects ongoing U.S.-Venezuela tensions, particularly under former President Donald Trump's administration, which has long criticized Maduro following an election rife with allegations of fraud.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized Maduro's alleged connections to extensive drug trafficking networks, claiming he is deeply involved in narcotics smuggling. In response to this development, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil dismissed the raised bounty as "political propaganda" and a desperate attempt to distract from challenges faced by the U.S. government concerning sensitive cases such as that of Jeffrey Epstein.
Throughout Trump's presidency, Maduro and several high-ranking officials were charged with serious offenses, which included allegations of collusion with Colombian rebel factions to flood the U.S. with cocaine. Bondi specifically accused Maduro of coordinating with both Tren de Aragua—a gang classified as a terrorist organization—and Mexico's notorious Sinaloa Cartel. She claimed that the Drug Enforcement Administration had seized around 30 tons of cocaine linked back to Maduro, nearly 7 tons of which is purportedly connected directly to him.
Despite these accusations, Maduro has consistently denied any involvement with drug trafficking. The increasing tensions come in the wake of a controversial return to power for Maduro, who took office in January following an election that was widely criticized internationally. His governance has faced condemnation for purportedly using violence to suppress dissent and opposition.
Adding to the narrative of Maduro's alleged drug connections, Hugo Carvajal, a former military intelligence chief in Venezuela, was convicted of drug trafficking in Spain and provided information that has raised further intrigue regarding potential deals with U.S. authorities. Meanwhile, the UK and EU have also imposed sanctions targeting Maduro's government since his recent electoral victory.
