Venezuela Rejects Increased U.S. Bounty on Maduro
The Venezuelan government has firmly denounced the U.S. government’s $50 million bounty placed on President Nicolás Maduro, labeling the move as a politically motivated attack devoid of legal and moral validity, reports 24brussels.
On August 8, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil criticized the reward, which was announced by U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. He dismissed it as a “ridiculous smokescreen,” arguing that the U.S. is attempting to distract from its domestic challenges through sensationalist tactics. “The dignity of our homeland is not for sale. We repudiate this crude political propaganda operation,” Gil stated via Telegram.
This bounty announcement marks a significant escalation in U.S. claims against Maduro, who has faced accusations of drug trafficking and terrorism since 2020, beginning with the Trump administration. Initially set at $15 million, the reward was increased to $25 million in early 2025, and now the figure has been doubled to $50 million.
During the announcement, Bondi characterized the reward as “historic” and referred to Maduro as “one of the world’s biggest drug traffickers,” labeling him a national security threat to the U.S. The White House has alleged that Maduro collaborates with foreign terrorist organizations and drug cartels, including the dismantled Tren de Aragua and the infamous Sinaloa and Los Soles cartels, to facilitate narcotics trafficking and exacerbating violence on U.S. soil.
The Venezuelan government’s rejection of the bounty illustrates its persistent resistance to foreign interference, framing U.S. actions as political aggression masked as law enforcement. This latest development underscores the ongoing tensions between Caracas and Washington amid a backdrop of deepening distrust.
