Trump Doubles Bounty for Maduro’s Arrest to $50 Million

UPDATE: The Trump administration has just announced a dramatic increase in the bounty for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, raising it from $25 million to $50 million amid ongoing accusations of drug trafficking. This urgent move underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to holding Maduro accountable for alleged narco-terrorism and his role in flooding the U.S. with fentanyl-laced cocaine.

In a press announcement, Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General, declared that the U.S. has seized more than $700 million in assets tied to Maduro, including two private jets and nearly 7 tonnes of cocaine linked directly to his administration. “Under President Trump’s leadership, Maduro will not escape justice and will be held accountable for his despicable crimes,” Bondi stated emphatically.

This escalation comes as Maduro faces a federal indictment from 2020, which charges him and several allies with serious crimes, including conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. The initial bounty was set at $15 million during Trump’s first term and later raised to $25 million under President Biden, mirroring the reward offered for the capture of Osama bin Laden.

Despite the increased bounty and international condemnation, Maduro remains firmly in power, dismissing the U.S. and European Union’s views on his controversial 2024 re-election as a sham. Critics have rallied behind his opponent, Edmundo González, recognizing him as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

The situation escalated further in July when the Trump administration negotiated with Venezuelan officials for the release of ten Americans held in Caracas. This deal coincided with a reversal of previous sanctions against U.S. energy giant Chevron, allowing the company to resume operations in Venezuela.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil reacted to the announcement of the increased bounty by dismissing it as “pathetic” and labeling Bondi’s statements as a “crude political propaganda operation.” He criticized Bondi’s credibility, referencing past controversies she faced regarding the Epstein case. “Her show is a joke, a desperate distraction from her own misery,” Gil added.

What happens next remains uncertain, but the heightened bounty reflects the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. Analysts warn that this could lead to further diplomatic strife and heightened enforcement actions against Maduro and his associates.

Stay tuned for more urgent updates as this situation continues to develop.