In a dramatic escalation of its long-standing pursuit of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. government is now putting serious money on the table—$50 million to be exact—for any tip that leads to his arrest.
Attorney General Bondi Accuses Maduro of Drug and Gang Ties
The announcement came straight from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who didn’t hold back.
She painted Maduro as a criminal kingpin who’s not just oppressing his own people, but actively helping smuggle drugs and guns into the U.S. through notorious gangs.
According to Bondi, Maduro has been working with major criminal groups like Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa Cartel, and the Cartel of the Suns to flood American communities with illegal drugs and violence.
30 Tons of Cocaine Tied to Maduro’s Network
Bondi said the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized a staggering 30 tons of cocaine tied to Maduro and his inner circle.
Nearly seven tons of that, she claimed, can be directly linked to Maduro himself.
That’s not just street-level trafficking—it’s cartel-scale business.
She emphasized that a huge chunk of this cocaine ends up laced with fentanyl, a deadly opioid that’s been fueling overdose deaths across the U.S. “This isn’t just about drugs,” Bondi said. “It’s about the lives lost and the families destroyed.”
Charges Going Back Years
This isn’t a new fight. Back in March 2020, Maduro was indicted in New York on a long list of charges, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and illegal weapons possession.
At that time, during Donald Trump’s first term, the administration offered $15 million for Maduro’s capture.
Later, President Biden’s team upped the bounty to $25 million.
And now, in a move that doubles down on past efforts, the Department of Justice has raised the stakes to $50 million.
Millions in Seized Assets, But Maduro Still in Power
Despite these efforts, Maduro remains in power in Venezuela.
Bondi revealed that U.S. authorities have already seized over $700 million in assets tied to him—including two private jets, nine vehicles, and more.
Still, she stressed that the fight isn’t over. “Maduro is one of the biggest narco-traffickers on the planet and a major threat to our national security,” she said.
“He will not get away with this. He will be held accountable.”
A President Accused of Stripping Power and Crushing Democracy
Maduro, now 62, has ruled Venezuela since 2013. Over the years, he’s been accused of taking power away from the country’s elected National Assembly and giving it to executive branches under his control.
That power grab has only added to the international outcry surrounding his leadership.
What’s the Endgame?
With the reward now doubled, the message from the U.S. is clear: they want Maduro brought to justice.
Whether this new bounty turns the tide remains to be seen. But for now, the push to take down Venezuela’s controversial leader is more intense than ever.