The United States Department of State has announced an increase in the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, raising the figure from $15 million to $25 million.
The decision highlights the seriousness of the charges against Maduro and the ongoing threat he allegedly poses to international stability, according to a senior State Department official.
Maduro, 62, has been under indictment in the United States since 2020 on charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. Prosecutors allege that he played a central role in the Cartel of the Suns, a Venezuelan drug-trafficking organization made up of high-ranking officials. He is accused of conspiring with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a designated foreign terrorist organization, to smuggle large quantities of cocaine into the United States and other countries.
The indictment alleges that Maduro facilitated multi-ton shipments of cocaine, supplied FARC with military-grade weapons, and used the group to train a militia acting as an armed wing of the cartel. These activities reportedly formed part of a violent and corrupt narco-terrorism conspiracy.
The US government has issued a global appeal for assistance in apprehending Maduro. Individuals in the United States are encouraged to contact their local Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office, while those outside the US are advised to reach out to the nearest US embassy or consulate.
Reward Announcement Coincides with Swearing-In
The announcement of the increased reward came on the same day Maduro was sworn in for a controversial third term as president. His July 2024 election victory was declared by Venezuela’s electoral authority and top court, but the US Department of State has dismissed the results, citing “credible evidence of electoral fraud.” Since 2019, Washington has not recognized Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, instead supporting opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s interim president.