By Emmanuel Nduka
The reward for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been increased to $50 million, with authorities accusing him of running one of the world’s largest narcotics trafficking networks.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro would be held accountable for “despicable crimes,” including sending fentanyl-laced cocaine into the country. “We will not rest until justice is served,” she said.
Maduro was first indicted in 2020 under then-President Donald Trump on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S. At that time, the bounty stood at $15 million, later raised to $25 million under President Joe Biden.
The latest increase under Trump now matches the reward once placed on Osama bin Laden.
Despite widespread international criticism of his 2024 re-election, Maduro has held on to power.
In July, the Trump administration struck a deal with Caracas that saw Venezuela release 10 jailed Americans, accept the deportation of migrants from the U.S., and receive eased drilling restrictions for oil giant Chevron.
Bondi also revealed that authorities had seized $700 million in assets linked to Maduro and intercepted nearly seven tons of cocaine connected to his alleged network.
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister dismissed the move as “pathetic,” describing the announcement as political propaganda aimed at undermining the country’s sovereignty.
