US Doubles $50M Reward for Maduro Narcotics Conviction

The U.S. Department of Justice and Department of State have doubled the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from $25 million to $50 million, citing his alleged leadership role in the Cartel de los Soles and involvement in drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Maduro of collaborating with foreign terrorist organizations like Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Cartel de los Soles to flood the United States with cocaine, some of which is laced with fentanyl, contributing to numerous American deaths. The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump's administration, denounces Maduro's 2024 re-election as fraudulent and does not recognize him as Venezuela's legitimate leader. Maduro’s regime has been linked to trafficking tons of cocaine to the U.S., with over $700 million in assets seized, including luxury vehicles and private jets. In response, Venezuelan officials have rejected the bounty increase, calling it a ridiculous smokescreen, while Trump ally Laura Loomer sarcastically questioned the U.S. government’s claim of not knowing Maduro’s whereabouts despite recent contacts. The reward offer is part of a broader U.S. effort to disrupt transnational crime and enforce narcotics laws under the Narcotics Rewards Program, emphasizing confidentiality and law enforcement cooperation.