Record-Breaking $50 Million Reward Offered for Nicolás Maduro's Arrest

In a significant escalation of pressure on the Venezuelan government, the United States has announced a historic reward of $50 million for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, the country's controversial leader. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on the social media platform X.

Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, was recently sworn in for a new term amid allegations of electoral fraud and threats of civil unrest. The U.S. had previously set a reward of $25 million for his capture in January 2025, which has now been doubled in light of ongoing concerns regarding his governance and alleged criminal activities.

Bondi characterized Maduro as a significant threat to national security, claiming he is "one of the largest drug traffickers in the world." The $50 million figure marks the highest bounty ever issued by the U.S. government, surpassing the previous record set for al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who had a $25 million reward.

The U.S. program "Rewards for Justice," established in 1984, has been primarily used to target international terrorists. However, the case of Maduro is particularly contentious as he is the sitting president of a sovereign nation, raising questions about the legality and implications of such a bounty.

In response to the U.S. announcement, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil described the move as a "ridiculous smokescreen," labeling it as an act of crude propaganda. The Venezuelan government has faced numerous accusations, including a 2020 indictment by a U.S. court in New York on charges related to drug trafficking, specifically alleging Maduro's leadership of the "Cártel de los Soles," which is accused of funneling large quantities of cocaine into the United States.

The strained relations between Washington and Caracas have persisted for several years, particularly following the U.S. refusal to recognize Maduro's electoral victories. Diplomatic ties were severed in 2019, leading to a series of sanctions and an oil embargo that have crippled Venezuela's economy.

Maduro, who recently took the oath of office for his third term, claims he will remain in power until 2031 despite widespread protests and international condemnation regarding the legitimacy of the elections. The Venezuelan opposition, now largely in exile, has rejected the election results, declaring Edmundo González, one of their candidates, as the rightful winner. This sentiment is echoed by the European Union and various Latin American countries, which view González as Venezuela's legitimate president.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Maduro has systematically dismantled democracy in Venezuela since 2020, clinging to power despite mounting evidence of electoral misconduct and human rights violations.