In a significant escalation of its stance against Venezuela’s leadership, the United States government has officially raised the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to a staggering $50 million. This development comes amid persistent allegations from Washington linking Maduro to transnational criminal activities, including drug trafficking and corruption.
The reward increase, which was announced through official U.S. channels this week, is part of a broader initiative to intensify pressure on the embattled South American leader, who has been in power since 2013. According to U.S. authorities, Maduro is accused of playing a central role in what they describe as the “Cartel of the Suns”—a purported drug trafficking network involving senior Venezuelan officials and members of the military.
This is not the first time the U.S. has placed a bounty on Maduro. In March 2020, the U.S. Department of State initially offered $15 million for information that could lead to his capture. However, the significantly increased figure now signals a renewed and more aggressive effort to hold him accountable on what American officials consider serious international criminal charges.
U.S. prosecutors allege that Maduro and his inner circle conspired for years with drug lords, guerrilla groups such as Colombia’s FARC, and corrupt state actors to flood American streets with narcotics—particularly cocaine—while enriching themselves through illicit networks. Despite facing numerous sanctions and international isolation, Maduro has managed to retain control of Venezuela’s key institutions, supported by the country’s military and allies such as Russia, China, and Iran.
The Venezuelan government has consistently rejected the accusations as politically motivated, claiming the U.S. is pursuing regime change under the guise of justice. In past statements, Maduro described the charges as a fabrication aimed at undermining Venezuela’s sovereignty and deflecting attention from internal issues within the U.S.
The newly announced reward places Maduro among the highest-profile individuals targeted under the U.S. Narcotics Rewards Program, which has historically been used to go after figures such as cartel kingpins and international drug traffickers. Washington maintains that the offer is part of its commitment to fighting global narcotics and promoting accountability for those who threaten regional stability through illicit actions.
While the Venezuelan economy continues to struggle under inflation, sanctions, and a prolonged humanitarian crisis, Maduro’s government appears defiant. Meanwhile, the United States has reaffirmed that it remains open to diplomatic solutions but insists that there must be legal consequences for the alleged crimes tied to Maduro’s regime.
With the reward now at $50 million, U.S. officials hope it will motivate insiders or foreign partners to come forward with actionable intelligence that could bring the Venezuelan leader closer to facing prosecution.
As global attention remains fixed on the evolving U.S.-Venezuela dynamic, the latest move underscores the depth of Washington’s determination to see accountability pursued at the highest levels of government, even beyond its borders.
