USA offers $25m for wanted Venezuelan President, Maduro

The United States has officially declared Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and two of his top allies wanted for drug trafficking, placing a total reward of $65 million for their capture and conviction.

In a statement released Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State identified Maduro, Diosdado Cabello Rondón, and Vladimir Padrino López as key leaders of the Cartel de los Soles — a group recently designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. Treasury.

A $25 million bounty has been placed on both Maduro and Cabello, while Padrino carries a $15 million reward.

The trio is accused of orchestrating large-scale drug smuggling operations into the United States. A wanted poster describes Maduro as a “designated global terrorist” facing charges including narco-terrorism, international drug trafficking, and weapons offenses.

USA offers $25m for wanted Venezuelan President, Maduro

The announcement came just a day after Maduro marked the anniversary of his controversial re-election — a vote the U.S. has never recognized. Washington continues to maintain sweeping sanctions against his government.

Meanwhile, the UK has also imposed sanctions on 15 high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including judges, military leaders, and security personnel tied to Maduro’s regime.