Post by : Meena Ariff

The United States has increased its reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to $50 million. The announcement came from US Attorney General Pam Bondi, who accused Maduro of collaborating with dangerous criminal organisations and being deeply involved in large-scale drug trafficking.

Why the Bounty Has Been Raised

The US first placed a $15 million reward on Maduro in 2020 after federal prosecutors charged him with running a “narco-state.” The indictment, issued in Manhattan federal court during Donald Trump’s presidency, accused Maduro and several close allies of narcoterrorism and conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States.

In January 2025, as Maduro began his controversial third term, the Biden administration increased the bounty to $25 million and imposed new sanctions on senior Venezuelan officials. Now, under President Trump’s leadership, the bounty has doubled to $50 million—the same amount once offered for Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks.

Accusations Against Maduro

According to the US Justice Department, Maduro is the leader of a vast cocaine smuggling network known as the Cartel of the Suns. This cartel is accused of working closely with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a group the US considers a terrorist organisation.

Bondi stated that Maduro has ties to both Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) claims to have seized 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro’s network, including seven tons directly tied to him.

Since September, US authorities have confiscated over $700 million in assets linked to Maduro, including two Venezuelan government aircraft. Bondi accused him of using his position to maintain “a reign of terror” and vowed that under Trump’s presidency, he would be brought to justice.

Venezuela’s Response

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil dismissed the US move as a “pathetic bounty” and called it a political smokescreen. Maduro himself has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them false and politically motivated.

In June, Venezuela’s former intelligence chief Hugo Armando Carvajal pleaded guilty to US drug trafficking charges and reportedly offered to provide documents and testimony implicating Maduro.

Prisoner Swap and Oil Politics

Just last month, the Trump administration negotiated the release of 10 Americans held in Venezuela in exchange for the US returning dozens of Venezuelan nationals who had been deported to El Salvador.

Shortly after, the US allowed Chevron to resume oil drilling operations in Venezuela, reversing earlier sanctions. Now, reports suggest that Washington is preparing to issue new licenses for companies working with Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA.

Oil as a Factor in Relations

Venezuela, a member of OPEC, has maintained oil production of around 1 million barrels per day, with most exports going to China. While the US has a secondary tariff on Venezuelan oil, it has not been strictly enforced.

If new oil licenses are approved, Venezuela could gain important revenue. However, US officials insist that proceeds from Venezuelan oil sales will not benefit Maduro’s government—a claim that may be difficult to enforce.

Political Legitimacy Dispute

The US government has not recognised Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president since the 2018 election, which it called deeply flawed. In the July 2024 presidential election, the US and many other countries accused Maduro of fraud after he declared himself the winner despite evidence to the contrary.

In February, the US designated the Tren de Aragua gang as a foreign terrorist organisation, alongside MS-13 and several Mexican cartels. By July, it also listed the Cartel of the Suns as a global terrorist organisation.

Possible Future

If Maduro is arrested and convicted in a US court, he could face life in prison. With mounting international pressure, ongoing sanctions, and now the highest bounty ever placed on a sitting head of state, relations between the US and Venezuela are set to remain tense.