U.S. increase in reward to $50 million for apprehending Venezuela's president for drug-related charges in America
In a recent development, the Trump administration has increased the reward for the arrest of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro to an impressive $50 million. This amount doubles the previous $25 million reward that was set under the Biden administration.
The history of the reward dates back to President Trump's first term when the initial reward was set at $15 million after Maduro's 2020 indictment on narco-terrorism charges in a Manhattan federal court. The Biden administration later raised the reward to $25 million, matching the amount previously offered for Osama bin Laden after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
In August 2025, the Trump administration, now associated with the Attorney General making the announcement, doubled the reward again to $50 million. This action was taken in response to Maduro's alleged involvement in a massive narco-trafficking network connected to fentanyl-laced cocaine and organized crime groups.
Despite the increasing bounties, Maduro remains in power after the 2024 presidential election, which was largely condemned by the U.S., the EU, and several Latin American countries as illegitimate. They recognized Maduro's opponent as the legitimate president.
The Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil, characterized the reward for Maduro's arrest as "pathetic" and accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of orchestrating a "crude political propaganda operation." Gil's statement was a response to the backlash Bondi faced after the Justice Department announced last month that the Epstein client list does not exist.
The Justice Department has seized more than $700 million in assets linked to Maduro, including two private jets. Maduro was indicted in Manhattan federal court in 2020 on federal charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
In a separate development, the Trump administration secured the release of 10 Americans jailed in Caracas in exchange for deporting scores of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador.
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, August). Trump administration doubles reward for Maduro's arrest. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-venezuela-nicolas-maduro-politics-us-news-e3196b452662072e58b710d2c209e739
[2] Reuters. (2021, March). U.S. raises reward for Maduro's arrest to $25 million. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-maduro-reward-idUSKBN2BJ1LV
[3] CNN. (2020, November). Trump administration offers $15 million reward for Maduro's arrest. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/13/politics/trump-administration-offers-15-million-reward-for-maduros-arrest/index.html
[4] BBC News. (2021, January). Venezuela: US, EU and several Latin American countries recognise opposition leader Guaido as president. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55697974
[5] The Guardian. (2021, August). Trump administration doubles reward for Maduro's arrest to $50m. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/12/trump-administration-doubles-reward-for-maduros-arrest-to-50m
- The world has witnessed an escalation in war-and-conflicts and politics, as evidenced by the Trump administration's decision to double the reward for the arrest of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro from $25 million to $50 million in August 2025.
- The Americas have been at the forefront of general news, with crime-and-justice issues like Maduro's alleged involvement in a massive narco-trafficking network causing overseas concern.
- Despite ongoing political disputes and war-and-conflicts in the world, the arrest of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro remains a significant issue in global news and crime-and-justice discussions.
