The U.S. Department of State has elevated the bounty for information resulting in the apprehension or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $25 million. This increase from the previous $15 million highlights the administration’s intensified efforts to address the severe charges against Maduro, including narco-terrorism and significant drug trafficking activities.
A high-ranking official from the State Department emphasized that the enhanced reward reflects “the serious nature of his alleged offenses and the ongoing danger he represents to global stability.” The U.S. authorities are calling on the public to assist in their pursuit by providing any pertinent information. Residents within the United States are advised to contact their local Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offices, while individuals outside the country should reach out to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Since 2020, Maduro, aged 62, has been the subject of a U.S. federal indictment. He is accused of being a principal member of the Cartel of the Suns, a notorious Venezuelan drug trafficking syndicate that includes high-ranking government officials. The indictment alleges that Maduro orchestrated a violent and corrupt narco-terrorism network in collaboration with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which the U.S. has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Prosecutors allege that Maduro facilitated large-scale shipments of cocaine produced by FARC, directed the cartel to supply the group with military-grade weaponry, and attempted to enlist FARC’s support in training an unauthorized militia serving as the cartel’s armed faction.
The declaration of the increased bounty coincided with Maduro’s swearing-in for a third presidential term. Despite being declared the victor in the July 2024 elections by Venezuela’s electoral authority and the nation’s highest court, the U.S. State Department has dismissed the results, citing “credible evidence of electoral fraud.” Consequently, Washington has refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president since 2019.
Maduro has maintained his grip on power since 2013, navigating through economic turmoil and political unrest. The international community remains divided on his legitimacy, with the U.S. leading efforts to challenge his administration’s authority and address the broader implications of his alleged criminal activities on regional and global stability.
