Donald Trump has doubled the reward for Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro’s arrest, raising it to $50 million. Trump accuses Maduro of being behind a massive cocaine trafficking operation that fuels violence and drug addiction in the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that nearly seven tons of cocaine linked directly to Maduro have been seized, some laced with deadly fentanyl.
The U.S. has already confiscated over $700 million in assets tied to Maduro, including private jets and vehicles. Despite this, Bondi said Maduro remains one of the world’s top narco-traffickers and a threat to U.S. national security.
Maduro was indicted in 2020 on federal charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. The original $15 million reward offered under Trump was raised to $25 million by the Biden administration, and now Trump has increased it again to $50 million.
Maduro’s presidency has long been contested, with the U.S. recognizing opposition figures like Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s rightful leader. Allegations of election fraud and repression continue to surround Maduro, whose recent 2024 re-election was again disputed. Authorities are urging anyone with information to call 1-202-307-4228.
