US raises Maduro arrest bounty to 50 million

The United States increases the Maduro bounty to 50 million amid narcotics trafficking accusations and asset seizures.

US raises Maduro arrest bounty to 50 million

The United States has doubled its reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to 50 million dollars, announced by the Justice Department. The offer previously stood at 25 million after a 2020 indictment on narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, with the Biden administration later raising it from 15 million to 25 million. Officials say the crackdown has included asset seizures totaling more than 700 million dollars and the seizure of two private jets, along with tracing nearly seven tonnes of cocaine to Maduro’s network.

Venezuela’s foreign minister criticized the move as pathetic and accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of conducting a crude political propaganda operation. Caracas also pushed back on the broader framing of the case, arguing that the United States is using the bounty to rally political support rather than pursue due process or credible evidence.

The move signals a hardline stance from Washington toward Maduro and could heighten tensions between the two countries. It blends criminal justice with foreign policy, a pattern that can increase leverage but also invite retaliation or unified regional pushback from Caracas and allies. The politics of punishment may shape public messages at home and abroad, yet the practical effect on drug trafficking and governance remains uncertain.

As the dispute unfolds, observers will watch whether this bigger bounty translates into more cooperation from third countries, additional sanctions, or a clearer legal path to Maduro’s accountability. The episode also tests how far a monetary reward can influence diplomacy when political rhetoric and legal claims collide.

Highlights

The outcome will test how much leverage a single bounty can buy in a crowded field of sanctions and diplomacy.