Washington, DC – 8 August 2025 – The United States has escalated its pursuit of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by doubling the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million, amid ongoing accusations of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced the move on social media platform X, stating: “Today, @TheJusticeDept and @StateDept are announcing a $50 MILLION REWARD for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro.” The announcement was accompanied by a video message in which Bondi detailed the rationale behind the increased bounty.
In the video, Bondi accused Maduro of collaborating with foreign terrorist organisations, including the FARC, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Cartel of the Suns, to flood the US with deadly drugs. She highlighted that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized 30 tonnes of cocaine linked to Maduro’s regime, much of which is laced with fentanyl, contributing to the loss of countless American lives.
“The DOJ has seized over $700 million dollars of Maduro-linked assets including 2 private jets, 9 vehicles and more,” Bondi said. “Yet Maduro’s reign of terror continues… Therefore, we’ve doubled his reward to $50 million dollars. Under President Trump’s leadership, Maduro will not escape justice.”
This development builds on a 2020 indictment by the US Department of Justice, which charged Maduro and several associates with narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. At that time, a $15 million reward was offered for Maduro’s capture, which has now been significantly increased under the second Trump administration.
The timing of the announcement comes amid heightened tensions following Venezuela’s disputed presidential election in July 2024, where Maduro claimed victory despite widespread allegations of fraud. The US has refused to recognise Maduro’s regime and has imposed extensive sanctions on Venezuela.
Bondi urged anyone with information to contact the tip line at 1-202-307-4228, emphasising that Maduro poses a direct threat to US national security.
Venezuelan officials have yet to respond publicly to the latest US action, but Maduro has previously dismissed similar measures as imperialistic interference. The increased reward is expected to intensify international pressure on the Venezuelan leader, who has maintained power with support from allies such as Russia, China, and Iran.
The State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme, which administers such bounties, has a history of offering substantial sums for high-profile fugitives, including $25 million for ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi before his death in 2019.
Analysts suggest this move signals a renewed hardline stance by the Trump administration against perceived adversaries in Latin America, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts in the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. remains silent on the drug-related forfeiture case involving Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who surrendered $460,000 in a 1993 civil proceeding linked to narcotics trafficking, despite recent court orders mandating the release of investigative records by agencies such as the FBI and DEA.
