Venezuela Denounces U.S. $50 Million Bounty on President Maduro
The Venezuelan government has strongly rebuffed a recently announced $50 million reward by U.S. authorities for information leading to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, denouncing it as a politically motivated initiative lacking any legal or moral foundation, reports 24brussels.
On August 8, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil publicly condemned this offer, made known by U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Gil characterized the bounty as “the most ridiculous smokescreen we have seen,” suggesting that the U.S. aims to distract from its domestic issues through media theatrics.
“The pathetic ‘reward’ by Pamela Bondi is the most ridiculous smokescreen we have seen,” Gil stated via Telegram, linking the initiative to the right-wing political agendas in both the U.S. and Venezuela. “The dignity of our homeland is not for sale. We repudiate this crude political propaganda operation,” he asserted.
This latest escalation follows a history of accusations against Maduro by the U.S. government, which has linked him to drug trafficking and terrorism since 2020, during the Trump administration. The bounty for his capture has evolved from an initial $15 million, later raised to $25 million in early 2025, and now increased to $50 million.
Bondi described the increased reward as “historic,” labeling Maduro as “one of the world’s biggest drug traffickers” and a national security threat to the United States. The White House alleges that Maduro collaborates with foreign terrorist organizations and drug cartels, including the now-defunct Tren de Aragua as well as the Sinaloa and Los Soles cartels, to facilitate drug trafficking and incite violence within U.S. territory.
Venezuela’s backlash highlights its steadfast stance against foreign pressure and intervention under the guise of law enforcement. The government’s dismissal of the U.S. bounty underscores its position that such actions exemplify political aggression masquerading as justice.
