Trump administration doubles the reward for arrest of Venezuelan president | $50 million | U.S. News

this Trump administration Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrested the reward, rewarding him as a 50mm reward, accusing him of being one of the world’s largest narcotics, and working with the cartel to flood the United States with cocaine contained in fentanyl.

“Under President Trump, Maduro will not escape justice, he will be responsible for his mean crimes,” President Pam Bondi said Thursday on Thursday. Video Statement Announce the reward.

During Trump’s first presidency, Maduro was indicted in 2020 in Manhattan Federal Court, as well as several close allies on federal charges of alleged narcotics and conspiracy to import cocaine. At that time, the United States offered a $15 million reward for his arrest. Later, the Biden administration raised it $25 million, the same amount as the U.S. captured Osama bin Laden after the September 11 attack.

Despite the big bounty, Maduro remains deeply ingrained after defiance of the United States, the European Union and several Latin American governments, condemning his 2024 reelection and acknowledging his opponent as Venezuela’s formal president-elect.

Last month, the Trump administration reached a deal to ensure the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in Caracas in exchange for the dozens of immigrants who deported the United States from El Salvador under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Shortly thereafter, the White House turned around and allowed U.S. oil producer Chevron to resume drilling in Venezuela after it was previously blocked by U.S. sanctions.

Bondi said the Justice Department had seized $700 million in assets linked to Maduro, including two private jets, and said 7 million tons of cocaine occupied have been traced directly to left-wing leaders.

Maduro’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.