ChatGPT said:
Donald Trump has doubled the reward for Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro’s capture to $50 million, accusing him of fueling drug trafficking and terrorism that brings “deadly violence” to the U.S.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the new bounty on 7 August, calling it the largest ever offered by the U.S. for a foreign leader. She claimed Maduro is at the center of a global cocaine network tied to violent cartels like Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel.
“Maduro uses terrorist groups to bring deadly drugs into our country,” Bondi said, adding that 30 tons of cocaine linked to him have been seized—seven tons personally connected to Maduro. Much of it is reportedly laced with fentanyl.
U.S. authorities have also seized over $700 million in assets tied to Maduro, including private jets and luxury vehicles. “He remains a global narco-trafficker and a national security threat,” Bondi said.
Maduro was indicted in 2020 on federal charges including narco-terrorism and weapons offenses. The Trump administration initially offered $15 million for his capture, later raised to $25 million under Biden—now doubled by Trump.
His regime continues to face international criticism over election fraud, human rights abuses, and corruption. The 2024 election result was disputed, with opposition candidate Edmundo González claiming victory before fleeing the country.
“Maduro is not the President of Venezuela,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “His regime is illegitimate.”