U.S. Puts $25 Million Bounty on Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro Over Drug Trafficking Allegations
The United States has significantly escalated its pressure on the Venezuelan government by announcing a $25 million bounty on President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of leading a transnational drug trafficking and narco-terrorism ring.
The declaration, made by the U.S. Department of State, reaffirms Washington’s long-standing position that Maduro is not only an illegitimate leader but a key figure in an international criminal enterprise.
The U.S. alleges that Maduro heads the notorious “Cartel de los Soles” — a criminal network believed to operate within Venezuela’s military and government institutions. Alongside Maduro, two of his top officials have also been designated as fugitives: Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello Rondón and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López.
The U.S. has offered $25 million and $15 million respectively for credible information leading to their arrest and conviction.
This move expands upon a previous indictment filed in 2020, which had initially placed a $15 million reward on Maduro. The latest increase coincides with his controversial third-term inauguration in January 2025, which was widely condemned by international observers and deemed fraudulent by several Western governments, including the U.S.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, Maduro and his inner circle have been facilitating the smuggling of tons of cocaine into North America and Europe, often in cooperation with criminal organizations such as the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel and the Venezuelan-based Tren de Aragua. Both groups have been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) by U.S. authorities.
Recent developments in U.S. courts have added momentum to the case.
Hugo Carvajal, Venezuela’s former military intelligence chief and once a key figure in the alleged cartel, pleaded guilty in June 2025 to charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. His cooperation with U.S. prosecutors is believed to have provided crucial insights into the operations of the Cartel de los Soles.
The U.S. Treasury Department has also leveled fresh sanctions against individuals and entities believed to be enabling the Venezuelan regime’s illicit activities, with Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent stating that these actions are designed to “disrupt and dismantle global narcotics and terrorism networks that threaten regional and international stability.”
In Caracas, the Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the U.S. declaration as “imperialist aggression,” accusing Washington of fabricating charges to undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty.
President Maduro, in a televised address, dismissed the bounty as a political stunt and reaffirmed his grip on power.
Political analysts suggest that this new move is part of a broader U.S. strategy to tighten international isolation around Maduro while encouraging dissent within Venezuela’s military and political elite. The Biden administration — still reeling from criticism over its 2024 election loss — has reportedly made Latin American stability a priority in its foreign policy agenda.
The bounty announcement signals renewed efforts by the U.S. to bring Maduro and his top aides to justice. However, it also risks escalating tensions in an already volatile region, with regional allies watching closely to see how the situation unfolds in the months ahead.
