Maduro Now Worth More Than Bin Laden on U.S. Fugitive List

Washington now offers one of the largest rewards in history for information leading to the capture of the embattled Venezuelan leader, accused of major cocaine trafficking into the United States.

Caracas/Washington —

In a move that underscores the gravity of U.S. allegations against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. State Department has doubled the reward for information leading to his arrest — now offering $50 million, one of the highest bounties in history.

The unprecedented figure eclipses the $25 million bounty once placed on Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the September 11 attacks. American prosecutors allege that Maduro leads a “narco-terrorism” network responsible for flooding the U.S. with hundreds of tons of cocaine, in coordination with Colombian guerrilla factions.

“This is not just about politics — it’s about holding accountable those who traffic poison into our communities,” said a senior U.S. Justice Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The scale of the alleged crimes rivals that of the most notorious organized crime leaders in modern history.”

Allegations of a State-Run Drug Network

According to U.S. indictments, Maduro and members of his inner circle have operated what prosecutors call the “Cartel of the Suns” — a criminal enterprise embedded within Venezuela’s military and government. The network is accused of leveraging state resources to protect and facilitate massive narcotics shipments, using airstrips in remote regions and maritime routes in the Caribbean.

The U.S. says the cocaine trade under Maduro’s watch has been weaponized to “flood the U.S. with drugs and destabilize communities.” He is also accused of laundering millions of dollars through complex offshore structures, further entrenching his grip on power despite Venezuela’s economic collapse.

Venezuela’s Response and International Reactions

The Maduro government has dismissed the U.S. charges as “imperialist aggression”, claiming Washington is attempting to destabilize Venezuela and seize its vast oil reserves. In a televised statement, Maduro called the bounty “an act of desperation” and insisted he would not step down.

Internationally, reactions have been divided. While Washington has found support among several Latin American governments that oppose Maduro’s rule, allies such as Russia, China, and Iran have condemned the move, framing it as interference in Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Humanitarian Crisis at the Core

Beyond the geopolitical chessboard, Venezuela remains gripped by a dire humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates that more than 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015, escaping hyperinflation, food shortages, and collapsing public services. Critics argue that the alleged drug revenues have not only enriched the ruling elite but also perpetuated repression and economic decay.

“This is not only a matter of crime and punishment,” said María González, a Venezuelan human rights advocate now based in Bogotá. “It’s about a government accused of enriching itself while millions starve and flee for their lives.”

The Bigger Picture

The $50 million reward sets a historic precedent — not just for the scale of U.S. anti-narcotics operations, but for the message it sends: state leaders are not immune from being treated as international fugitives when accused of grave criminal acts.

While the prospect of capturing a sitting president remains remote, U.S. officials hope the reward could prompt defections or insider leaks from within Maduro’s circle, increasing pressure on his regime.

For now, the Venezuelan leader remains in the presidential palace in Caracas — a head of state with a price tag higher than the world’s most infamous terrorist once carried.