The U.S. has recently enhanced its bounty on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, escalating it to $50 million, amidst serious claims that he is "one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world." This move was accompanied by allegations from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stating that Maduro has direct ties to major drug smuggling operations. The announcement represents a significant doubling of the previous reward of $25 million, as the Trump administration continues to position itself against Maduro following the controversial elections that were criticized internationally for allegations of voter fraud.
In response to this announcement, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil dismissed the increased bounty as "pathetic," accusing the U.S. administration of using it as "political propaganda." He suggested that such actions are merely distractions from the ongoing scrutiny the U.S. faces over various domestic issues, including the high-profile case involving sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The current U.S. administration has charged Maduro with a variety of serious offenses, including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking, arguing that he colluded with Colombian guerrilla group Farc to flood the United States with cocaine. Bondi highlighted that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) connected about 30 tons of cocaine to Maduro and his associates, including nearly seven tons directly tied to the president himself.
Despite the allegations, Maduro has consistently rejected the accusations of drug trafficking. The current political climate remains tense, marked by Maduro's history of suppression against dissent and opposition within Venezuela. He has managed to stay in power despite protests following last year’s questionable elections.
Adding to the controversy is the recent conviction of Hugo Carvajal, former head of Venezuela’s military intelligence, who pleaded guilty to multiple drug trafficking charges after his arrest in Spain. Speculation suggests he may have brokered a deal with U.S. authorities to provide information regarding Maduro in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
The fallout from these events continues to escalate as the U.S. and international community unfold further sanctions against Maduro’s regime in response to his actions over the past year.
