President Donald Trump’s administration has upped the ante in its efforts to take down Venezuela’s socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro.
On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a major escalation in the U.S. government’s pursuit of Maduro.
In a video statement, Bondi unveiled a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
This marks a significant increase from the previous $25 million offer and underscores the gravity of the charges against the embattled leader.
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The United States has long accused Maduro of being deeply involved in global drug trafficking, including aiding cartels and street gangs, while running a repressive and corrupt regime that poses a direct threat to U.S. national security.
Bondi did not hold back in her condemnation, stating:
“Maduro uses foreign terrorist organizations like TdA (Tren de Aragua), Sinaloa, and Cartel de Los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) to bring deadly violence to our country.
“He is one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world and a threat to our national security.”
Maduro’s cartel, Cartel of the Suns, is notorious for being composed of high-ranking Venezuelan officials who facilitate large-scale drug operations.
In 2020, Maduro was indicted on several serious charges, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and illegal possession of military-grade weapons and destructive devices.
To date, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized over 30 tons of cocaine connected to Maduro’s operations.
The flow of cocaine from Maduro’s network is not just a threat to the U.S. but to global security.
Bondi emphasized that this cocaine is often laced with fentanyl, a deadly opioid that has been linked to the overdose deaths of thousands of Americans.
“These drugs are a primary source of income for Mexican and Venezuelan-based cartels,” Bondi stated.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been a vocal critic of Maduro.
He slammed Maduro as an illegitimate leader following Venezuela’s disputed election in 2024.
Rubio condemned the Venezuelan leader’s continued grip on power, saying:
“Maduro is not the President of Venezuela and his regime is not the legitimate government.”
He added, “Maduro is the leader of the designated narco-terrorist organization Cartel de Los Soles, and he is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”
In addition to drug trafficking, the U.S. government’s case against Maduro includes his involvement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
FARC is officially recognized as a terrorist organization.
Maduro’s connections to FARC include facilitating shipments of FARC-produced cocaine, directing Cartel de Los Soles to provide weapons to the group, and working with international drug traffickers to smuggle massive quantities of narcotics across borders.
Furthermore, Maduro is accused of training militia groups that essentially serve as armed units for the Cartel of the Suns.
The Justice Department has already seized more than $700 million in assets tied to Maduro, including two private jets and nine vehicles, as part of its ongoing efforts to dismantle the financial empire supporting his regime.
The $50 million reward underscores the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to pursuing justice against Maduro, and it sends a clear message that the U.S. will not back down in holding corrupt and criminal foreign leaders accountable.
With Venezuela’s situation growing increasingly dire under Maduro’s rule, the U.S. remains firm in its support for Venezuelans seeking democratic reform.
As President Trump has made clear, the United States will not tolerate corrupt leaders or dangerous criminal networks that threaten our national security.
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