The United States has increased its reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of being “one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world”.
The decision, announced on Thursday by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, reflects a renewed effort by the administration of President Donald Trump to intensify pressure on the Venezuelan government over its involvement in transnational organised crime.
The announcement marks the second time in 2025 that the reward has been raised. It was previously increased to $25 million in January, when Maduro was sworn in for a third term following a disputed election in July 2024. The result was widely dismissed by international observers, with allegations of vote rigging and suppression of opposition participation. The reward was originally set at $15 million in 2020, under Trump’s first term.
In a video statement posted to the social media platform X, Bondi alleged that Maduro was directly linked to cocaine trafficking operations and had worked in coordination with criminal groups such as Tren de Aragua, designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the U.S. in February 2025, and the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful drug networks. Bondi further stated that U.S. law enforcement agencies had seized 30 tonnes of cocaine connected to Maduro and his associates, with nearly seven tonnes allegedly linked to Maduro personally.
Today, @TheJusticeDept and @StateDept are announcing a $50 MILLION REWARD for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. pic.twitter.com/D8LNqjS9yk
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 7, 2025
Bondi said Maduro had “used cocaine as a weapon to flood the United States,” citing previous U.S. Department of Justice charges which included narco-terrorism and conspiracy with the Colombian rebel group FARC.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil responded to the announcement by describing it as “pathetic” and “political propaganda”. Writing on Telegram, Gil dismissed the move as a “desperate distraction” by U.S. authorities, and questioned the timing of the statement, suggesting it was intended to deflect from domestic criticism of Attorney General Bondi related to ongoing controversies in the United States, including the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
“We’re not surprised, coming from whom it comes from,” Gil said. “This is a crude media operation aimed at destabilising Venezuela and pleasing the far-right factions who continue to reject the legitimacy of our government.”
Maduro, in power since 2013 following the death of Hugo Chávez, has faced repeated accusations of human rights abuses, suppression of political opposition, and electoral fraud. Despite widespread protests and international sanctions, he has remained in control of state institutions, backed by the military and key regional allies including Russia, China, and Iran.
Washington has long accused Maduro of operating a state-sponsored narcotics network, known as the Cartel de los Soles, involving senior military and political officials. In July 2025, the U.S. formally designated the group a global terrorist organisation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Maduro had played a leadership role within the cartel for more than a decade.
The credibility of the U.S. case against Maduro was further bolstered in June 2025, when Hugo Carvajal, Venezuela’s former head of military intelligence, was convicted of drug trafficking charges in the United States after being extradited from Spain. Known by the alias El Pollo (The Chicken), Carvajal had fled Venezuela in 2019 after publicly breaking ranks with Maduro and calling on the armed forces to support the opposition. He initially denied the charges but later changed his plea to guilty, prompting speculation that he may have agreed to cooperate with U.S. prosecutors.
The United Kingdom and European Union imposed additional sanctions on Venezuelan officials earlier this year, following Maduro’s controversial re-election. The EU cited continued human rights violations and undermining of democratic institutions.
Despite increased pressure, there has been no indication of a shift in Maduro’s domestic position. His administration continues to exercise control over security forces, the judiciary, and the National Electoral Council. The United Socialist Party remains the dominant political force, and opposition efforts to mobilise mass protests in the wake of the 2024 election have largely subsided.
