US doubles reward for arrest of Venezuelan President Maduro to $50 million

The US has increased the reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, calling him "one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world." The reward limits Maduro's ability to travel and increases pressure on the authoritarian ruler. The indictment against Maduro alleges he conspired with organized crime groups to traffic cocaine into the US, with the US seizing 30 tons of cocaine linked to him and his associates.

The United States has increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, labeling him "one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world" [1]. This significant increase in the reward is part of ongoing efforts to bring Maduro to justice for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and organized crime.

The U.S. Department of State and the Department of Justice announced the reward increase under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP). The NRP aims to disrupt transnational crime and bring fugitives to justice, aligning with President Trump's "America First" priorities [1]. The reward is authorized by the Secretary and is open to anyone with information that could lead to Maduro's arrest and/or conviction.

Maduro has been accused of leading the Cartel de los Soles, which is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States. On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated the cartel as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) [1]. The U.S. has also seized assets linked to Maduro, including two private jets, nine vehicles, and cocaine, amounting to over $700 million [2].

The U.S. has previously offered rewards for Maduro's arrest, initially $15 million in 2020 and later $25 million by the Biden administration. The latest increase to $50 million reflects the U.S.'s determination to hold Maduro accountable for his alleged crimes. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who announced the new reward, stated that Maduro is a threat to national security and has collaborated with criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua, Cartel of the Suns, and the Sinaloa Cartel [2].

Maduro's re-election in 2024 was widely condemned as a sham by the international community, including the U.S., the European Union, and several Latin American governments. Despite the U.S. rewards and international pressure, Maduro remains in power. In June, former Venezuelan military intelligence director Hugo Carvajal pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges in the U.S., further implicating Maduro in organized crime activities [2].

The reward increase is part of broader U.S. efforts to apply pressure on Maduro's regime. In recent months, the U.S. has reversed course on certain sanctions, such as allowing Chevron to resume drilling in Venezuela, as part of a deal to secure the release of 10 Americans jailed in Caracas [2]. However, the increased reward for Maduro's arrest is a clear signal of the U.S.'s continued focus on holding the Venezuelan leader accountable for his alleged crimes.

References:
[1] https://www.state.gov/reward-offer-increase-of-up-to-50-million-for-information-leading-to-arrest-and-or-conviction-of-nicolas-maduro/
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/8/us-doubles-reward-for-arrest-of-venezuelas-president-maduro-to-50m