US Increases Award for Arrest or Conviction of Venezuelan President

WASHINGTON, DC – The Donald Trump administration has announced an increase of up to US$50 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for violating US narcotics laws.

“For over a decade, Maduro has been a leader of Cartel de los Soles, which is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States,” said US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, adding that, on July 25, this year, the US Department of the Treasury designated Cartel de Los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

Washington has claimed that, since 2020, Maduro has “strangled democracy and grasped at power in Venezuela.

“Maduro claimed to have won Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential election but failed to present any evidence that he had prevailed. The United States has refused to recognize Maduro as the winner of 2024 election and does not recognize him as the President of Venezuela,” Rubio said.

Rubio said he has since authorized the reward offer under the Narcotics Rewards Programme (NRP) “which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice as a key pillar of President Trump’s ‘America First’ priorities.”

Rubio said that anyone with information should contact the US Drug Enforcement Administration, adding “if you are located outside the United States, you may also visit the nearest US Embassy or Consulate”.

Rubio said all identities are kept “strictly confidential”, and that US government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.