Trump Administration Increases Reward for Arrest of Venezuelan President Maduro to Fifty Million Dollars
U.S. authorities accuse Maduro of narco-trafficking in cooperation with criminal cartels; assets seized total over seven hundred million dollars
The Trump administration has announced an increase in the reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, raising the amount to fifty million dollars.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who accused Maduro of coordinating with criminal organizations including the Sinaloa cartel and Tren de Aragua to traffic fentanyl-laced cocaine into the United States.
Maduro was first indicted in 2020 during the Trump administration on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
The original reward of fifteen million dollars was later raised to twenty-five million under the Biden administration.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, over seven tons of cocaine have been seized and directly linked to Maduro.
Authorities have also confiscated assets worth more than seven hundred million dollars, including two private jets.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry issued a statement in response, describing the reward offer as "pathetic" and accusing Bondi of running a politically motivated campaign.
The statement further dismissed the announcement as propaganda.
Last month, the U.S. and Venezuela reached an agreement involving the release of ten American detainees in Caracas, in exchange for the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants previously deported to El Salvador under the Trump administration's immigration measures.
The White House also approved the resumption of drilling operations in Venezuela by U.S. oil producer Chevron, following prior restrictions related to U.S. sanctions.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who accused Maduro of coordinating with criminal organizations including the Sinaloa cartel and Tren de Aragua to traffic fentanyl-laced cocaine into the United States.
Maduro was first indicted in 2020 during the Trump administration on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
The original reward of fifteen million dollars was later raised to twenty-five million under the Biden administration.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, over seven tons of cocaine have been seized and directly linked to Maduro.
Authorities have also confiscated assets worth more than seven hundred million dollars, including two private jets.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry issued a statement in response, describing the reward offer as "pathetic" and accusing Bondi of running a politically motivated campaign.
The statement further dismissed the announcement as propaganda.
Last month, the U.S. and Venezuela reached an agreement involving the release of ten American detainees in Caracas, in exchange for the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants previously deported to El Salvador under the Trump administration's immigration measures.
The White House also approved the resumption of drilling operations in Venezuela by U.S. oil producer Chevron, following prior restrictions related to U.S. sanctions.
