WASHINGTON (BN24) — The United States has sharply escalated its pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, doubling the reward for his arrest to $50 million over allegations of international drug trafficking and links to terrorist-designated criminal groups, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday.
In a video posted to X, Bondi accused Maduro of operating hand-in-hand with powerful transnational criminal networks, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, intensifying Washington’s long-standing charges that the Venezuelan leader has transformed his regime into a criminal enterprise.
“Maduro is not just a corrupt politician—he’s a narco-terrorist responsible for poisoning our communities with illegal drugs while aligning with violent gangs and cartels,” Bondi said. “This reward reflects our commitment to bringing him to justice.”
The increased bounty marks the latest escalation in the U.S. government’s strategy to isolate Maduro, who has already been under federal indictment since 2020. The original reward of $15 million was first announced under then-President Donald Trump when prosecutors accused Maduro and senior officials of running a state-sponsored drug ring known as the Cartel de los Soles. It was raised to $25 million in January 2025, coinciding with his inauguration for a third term following disputed elections.
Thursday’s announcement follows a series of U.S. designations targeting criminal organizations linked to Venezuela. In February, the U.S. State Department labeled Tren de Aragua—Venezuela’s largest and most violent gang—a foreign terrorist organization. That designation came alongside sanctions on other groups such as MS-13 and Mexico’s CJNG. More recently, in July, the Cartel de los Soles was formally declared a global terrorist organization by the State Department.
In a statement issued late Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Maduro has served as “a key figure” within Cartel de los Soles for more than a decade, facilitating the flow of cocaine into the United States and laundering the proceeds through corrupt state channels.
The Venezuelan government reacted with outrage. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil dismissed the reward announcement as “the most ridiculous smokescreen ever seen,” accusing the U.S. of waging psychological warfare in an effort to destabilize the country.
“While we expose terrorist plots originating from the U.S., they respond with cheap media stunts to satisfy the fractured far-right opposition in Venezuela,” Gil wrote on Telegram. “The dignity of our homeland is not for sale.”
The Venezuelan Ministry of Information has not responded to further requests for comment.
The announcement comes at a critical political juncture in Venezuela, where opposition parties have accused the Maduro government of intensifying repression ahead of the 2026 general elections. Washington’s move is likely to further strain already-frozen diplomatic talks, even as international pressure mounts for free and fair elections in the oil-rich South American nation.
Despite being internationally isolated and facing multiple rounds of U.S. and European sanctions, Maduro has managed to retain power, propped up by loyal military factions, support from allies including Russia, China, and Iran, and a deeply fractured opposition.
With a $50 million reward now on his head—matching that of the world’s most-wanted drug lords—Maduro faces growing international legal jeopardy even as he consolidates political control at home.
