By Gloria Nosa
On August 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice and State Department, through Attorney General Pam Bondi, announced a dramatic escalation: the reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been increased to $50 million. This marks a doubling from the previous $25 million bounty.
Allegations and Justification
U.S. authorities accuse Maduro of playing a pivotal role in international drug trafficking—specifically supplying fentanyl-laced cocaine into the United States—and relying on cartels and criminal networks such as the Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa Cartel, and Cartel de los Soles to carry out this illicit trade. AG Bondi condemned Maduro as a leading narco-trafficker and a national security threat who facilitates “deadly violence” within U.S. borders.
Historical Context
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2020: Maduro was first indicted by U.S. federal authorities on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, with an initial $15 million reward offered for information leading to his arrest.
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January 2025: Amid his controversial third-term inauguration, the Biden administration raised the reward to $25 million, matching the cache offered for Osama bin Laden.
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August 2025: Now, under the Trump administration, the reward doubles to $50 million.
Intelligence Assessment Contradictions
Meanwhile, a declassified intelligence memo by the U.S. National Intelligence Council (NIC) introduced nuance—suggesting that while Venezuela’s environment may enable criminal groups like Tren de Aragua to flourish, there was no definitive evidence Maduro’s government directed their operations or maintained direct control.
