US Increases Bounty on Venezuela’s President Maduro to $50 Million

The United States has escalated its pursuit of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by doubling the reward for his capture to $50 million, citing serious drug trafficking charges. The move has provoked fierce condemnation from Caracas, which labelled the development as both “pathetic” and “ridiculous.”

Overview of the US Announcement

In her statement, Bondi declared that Maduro posed a “threat to US national security” and stated that the Department of Justice and the State Department were jointly offering the reward for information leading to his arrest.

Venezuelan Response

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Yván Gil, dismissed the bounty as a “crude political propaganda operation” and responded via Telegram:

“The dignity of our homeland is not for sale… This is the most ridiculous smokescreen we have ever seen.”

Background to the Charges

In 2020, during President Donald Trump’s first term, federal prosecutors in New York indicted Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials on a range of charges including participation in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.

Key Allegations

Bondi insisted that under President Trump’s leadership, “Maduro will not escape justice”, promising that he would be held accountable for what she described as “despicable crimes.”

Potential Consequences for Maduro

Maduro, aged 62, a former bus driver and trade unionist, could face life imprisonment if tried and convicted in the United States. He has consistently denounced the allegations as “spurious and false.”

Intelligence Link

In June, former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Armando Carvajal pleaded guilty in the US to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. According to the Miami Herald, Carvajal is believed to have provided documents and testimony implicating Maduro.

Diplomatic and Political Context

The bounty increase comes against a backdrop of long-standing tension between Washington and Caracas:

• Election Disputes: The US has refused to recognise Maduro’s presidency since the “deeply flawed” 2018 election.
• 2024 Election: The US claims Maduro fraudulently declared himself the victor in the July 28, 2024 presidential election.
• Sanctions: A range of economic sanctions has been imposed by the US on Venezuela’s government.

Recent Developments in Caracas

On the same day the US raised the bounty, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claimed that security services had foiled a bomb attack in a commercial area of Caracas. He blamed the United States and domestic opposition forces for allegedly orchestrating the attempt.

The situation further highlights the escalating geopolitical standoff between the US and Venezuela, with legal, diplomatic, and intelligence fronts all actively in play.