Trump Escalates Hunt for Maduro with $50M Bounty

The Trump administration has intensified its pursuit of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, doubling the reward for his arrest to $50 million. The move, announced Thursday, accuses Maduro of orchestrating a vast narco-trafficking network flooding the U.S. with fentanyl-laced cocaine, branding him a global drug lord.

“Maduro will face justice for his heinous crimes,” declared Attorney General Pam Bondi in a video statement, emphasizing the administration’s resolve. The reward marks a sharp escalation from the $15 million offered during Trump’s first term in 2020, when Maduro and allies were indicted in Manhattan federal court for narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. The Biden administration later raised it to $25 million, matching the bounty once set for Osama bin Laden post-9/11.

Despite international pressure, Maduro remains defiant. The U.S., EU, and several Latin American nations rejected his 2024 reelection as fraudulent, recognizing his opponent as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. Yet, Maduro retains power, navigating sanctions and global isolation. Recently, the Trump administration secured the release of 10 jailed Americans in Caracas through a deal that returned scores of Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador under Trump’s immigration policies. In a surprising pivot, the White House also greenlit Chevron’s return to Venezuelan oil fields, reversing prior sanctions.

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The Justice Department claims to have seized over $700 million in Maduro-linked assets, including two private jets, and traced 7 million tonnes of cocaine directly to him. Sources indicate ongoing investigations into Maduro’s inner circle, with potential new indictments looming. The State Department’s Rewards for Justice program administers the bounty, urging tips on Maduro’s whereabouts.

Maduro’s office has not responded to requests for comment. As tensions rise, the $50 million reward signals Trump’s aggressive stance against Venezuela’s leadership.

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