WASHINGTON(The COW News Digital)The United States has officially labeled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as one of the world’s largest drug traffickers, escalating tensions with a historic $50 million bounty announced for his arrest. The move, revealed by the U.S. Attorney General, marks a dramatic step in the ongoing confrontation between Washington and Caracas.
According to U.S. authorities, Maduro is accused of collaborating with Colombian rebel group FARC to flood the U.S. with cocaine, aiming to destroy American society through narcotics. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized approximately 30 tons of cocaine, of which nearly 7 tons were directly linked to Maduro. The remaining 23 tons were tied to his close associates.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that Maduro also maintains connections with notorious criminal organizations including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel. Both groups have been officially designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government and are subject to international sanctions.
In a video statement, Bondi highlighted the extensive drug network, underscoring the serious threat Maduro’s alleged activities pose to the region and beyond. The doubling of the bounty from $25 million to $50 million underscores the urgency Washington places on his capture.
The response from Venezuela was swift. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil condemned the U.S. action as “laughable political propaganda” designed to distract from domestic scandals involving former U.S. President Donald Trump, including the Jeffrey Epstein case. Venezuela’s government dismissed the accusations as baseless and part of an ongoing campaign to undermine Maduro’s administration.
Maduro has been in power since 2013, but his tenure has been marred by widespread accusations of electoral fraud, suppression of opposition voices, and political violence. These concerns have prompted sanctions from the United Kingdom and European Union.
Adding to the controversy, former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal was convicted in the U.S. on drug trafficking charges earlier this year. Carvajal later pleaded guilty, fueling speculation that he might cooperate with U.S. authorities against Maduro in exchange for leniency.
As the international spotlight intensifies on Maduro, the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela shows no signs of abating. The latest U.S. actions highlight the deepening conflict between the two nations, with drug trafficking allegations adding a new dimension to an already complex saga.
