According to the U.S. Justice Department, Maduro’s regime is allegedly linked to large-scale narcotics trafficking and transnational organized crime. Attorney General Bondi said the Venezuelan president “uses criminal gangs to bring deadly drugs and violence into our communities,” referring specifically to the Tren de Aragua, a powerful gang based in Venezuela, and the notorious Sinaloa Cartel.

Bondi’s statement highlighted what she described as a “criminal narco-state” structure in Caracas, with direct implications for U.S. homeland security. Officials noted that the increased bounty is intended to motivate actionable intelligence that could lead to Maduro’s arrest and prosecution.

Political Context And Trump Administration’s Strategy

The reward hike follows a series of sanctions and policy declarations targeting Venezuelan officials. It aligns with former President Donald Trump’s broader strategy of pressuring the Maduro government through diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions, and legal indictments.

The U.S. had initially offered $15 million for Maduro’s capture in 2020, raising it to $25 million in the years since, and now to $50 million. This escalation underscores Washington's prioritization of criminal justice and security issues in its approach to Venezuela, especially amid concerns about drug trafficking routes from South America to the U.S.