US Doubles $50M Bounty for Venezuela’s Maduro Amid Drug Trafficking Allegations

Under President Trump's leadership, the U.S. has doubled the reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of being one of the world's largest narco-traffickers and a threat to U.S. national security. Attorney General Pam Bondi alleged Maduro's collaboration with terrorist-designated groups like Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa, and the Cartel of the Suns to smuggle fentanyl-laced cocaine into the U.S., citing DEA seizures of 30 tons of cocaine linked to him and his associates. The Justice Department has also confiscated over $700 million in assets tied to Maduro, including luxury vehicles and private jets. Social media users mocked the announcement, sarcastically referencing the phrase "He’s in Venezuela" and demanding the release of the full, unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files, amid the Trump administration's ongoing controversies. Venezuela’s government condemned the reward as a "pathetic," "ridiculous," and politically motivated propaganda effort, accusing the U.S. of attempting to distract from domestic scandals and interfering in Venezuelan sovereignty. Analysts note that this move continues a pattern of U.S. attempts at regime change in Venezuela through sanctions and support for opposition groups.