U.S. Doubles Reward to $50 Million for Nicolás Maduro’s Arrest

MIAMI, FL — The United States announced on Thursday that it has doubled the reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million. Attorney General Pam Bondi made the announcement in a video posted on social media, accusing Maduro of collaborating with drug cartels to bring “deadly drugs and violence” into the U.S.

“He is one of the largest drug traffickers in the world and a threat to our national security. Under President Trump’s leadership, Maduro will not escape justice and will be held accountable for his despicable crimes,” Bondi stated.

The Trump administration originally offered a $15 million reward for Maduro’s arrest in 2020, after federal charges of narcoterrorism and other crimes were announced against him. Former President Joe Biden later raised that amount to $25 million before leaving office earlier this year.

Bondi claimed that the Department of Justice has seized over $700 million in assets linked to Maduro, including two private jets, and has traced seven tons of cocaine directly back to him. She emphasized that much of the cocaine is often mixed with fentanyl, causing tremendous loss of life in the United States.

Despite the high reward, Maduro remains in power. His recent reelection in 2024 was deemed fraudulent by the U.S., the European Union, and several Latin American nations, which recognized his opponent as the legitimate president of Venezuela.

In a statement responding to the U.S. announcement, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil called the reward “pathetic” and accused Bondi of orchestrating a “blatant political propaganda operation.” He further stated, “This show is a joke, a desperate distraction from their own miseries,” referring to the American government’s internal issues.

Bondi invited anyone with information on Maduro’s whereabouts to call the Department of Justice hotline or visit their website, urging them to help bring the Venezuelan leader to justice.