Increased Reward Offered: Trump Boosts Maduro Arrest Reward to $50 Million, Seeking Capture of Venezuela's President
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has been indicted by the U.S. federal court in Manhattan on charges including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. The U.S. legal and political stance towards Maduro has evolved significantly over the years, culminating in a historic $50 million reward for his arrest offered by the Trump administration in 2025.
The journey began in 2020 when Maduro was initially indicted, and a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest was announced. This bounty was increased to $25 million under the Biden administration in 2021, and then doubled to $50 million by the Trump administration in August 2025.
The Trump administration accuses Maduro of being one of the world's largest narco-traffickers, with nearly 7 million tons of cocaine seized and traced directly to Maduro and his network. The White House's efforts against Maduro's regime have also included sanctions and the designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group by the U.S. Treasury.
Despite these indictments and sanctions, Maduro continues to hold power in Venezuela amid widespread international condemnation and non-recognition of his presidency. The U.S. Justice Department has seized more than $700 million in assets linked to Maduro, including private jets.
The U.S. has also made diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation, such as striking a deal to secure the release of 10 Americans jailed in Caracas in exchange for Venezuela getting home scores of migrants deported by the United States. However, Maduro remains entrenched, with his 2024 reelection being considered a sham by the U.S., the European Union, and several Latin American governments.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who announced the increased reward for Maduro's arrest, stated that more than $700 million in assets linked to Maduro have been seized. However, Maduro's foreign minister, Yvan Gil, characterized the reward offered for Maduro's arrest as "pathetic" and accused Bondi of orchestrating a "crude political propaganda operation."
The U.S. continues to persist in its efforts to bring Maduro to justice, offering a record reward for his arrest and intensifying its measures against his narco-linked regime.
References:
- CNN
- BBC News
- The New York Times
- The Washington Post
- Reuters
- The U.S. Justice Department's relentless pursuit of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro continues in the face of international criticism, with a historic $50 million reward offered for his arrest.
- The escalating political and legal struggle against Maduro is widely covered in general-news outlets, including CNN, BBC News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Reuters.
- The indictment of Maduro on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine has become a significant topic in crime-and-justice news, with the President accused of being one of the world's largest narco-traffickers.
