Donald Trump has announced a substantial reward for the capture of a man accused of supporting terrorists and bringing ‘deadly violence’ to the United States.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration is offering a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, a Venezuelan leader labeled as a ‘dictator’ and considered one of the world’s major drug traffickers.
The announcement was made on Thursday, August 7, by Attorney General Pam Bondi. She accused Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, of being involved in a significant drug trafficking network that has contributed to the influx of fentanyl-laced cocaine and associated gang violence in the U.S.
In a video posted on Twitter, Bondi stated that the U.S. government is providing a ‘historic’ reward for information on Maduro’s location.
“Maduro uses foreign terrorist organizations like [Tren de Aragua], Sinaloa and Cartel of the Suns to bring deadly drugs and violence into our country,” she said.
Bondi reported that the DEA has seized 30 tons of cocaine associated with Maduro and his associates, with nearly seven tons directly linked to Maduro himself. This illegal trade serves as a significant source of income for drug cartels based in Venezuela and Mexico.
She further claimed that cocaine associated with Maduro is ‘often laced with fentanyl,’ a dangerous synthetic opioid responsible for ‘the loss and destruction of countless American lives.’
The Republican attorney also disclosed that the Department of Justice has confiscated over $700 million in ‘Maduro-linked assets,’ which include two private jets and nine vehicles.
“Yet Maduro’s reign of terror continues,” Bondi stated. “He is one of the largest narco traffickers in the world and a threat to our national security.”
In March 2020, Maduro, aged 62, faced several federal charges in the Southern District of New York. These charges were related to his criminal activities, including narco-terrorism, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to import cocaine and possess these weapons.
Following his indictment, during Trump’s first term, the U.S. government initially offered a $15 million reward, which was later increased to $25 million by his successor, Joe Biden.
Now, the Trump administration has further increased the reward, as Bondi concluded: “Therefore, we’ve doubled his reward to $50 million.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership, Maduro will not escape justice and he will be held accountable for his despicable crimes.
If you have any information to bring this criminal to justice, call 1-202 307-4228 or go online.”
This reward is set against the backdrop of Maduro’s alleged authoritarian rule over more than ten years, tainted by claims of electoral fraud, human rights violations, and corruption.
The legitimacy of the 2018 presidential election, purportedly won by Maduro, was heavily questioned, leading to Juan Guaidó, president of the National Assembly, being recognized as the rightful leader by legislators.
In February 2020, Trump extended an invitation to Guaidó as a special guest.