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DEA seizes 30 tons of cocaine as U.S. accuses Maduro of heading international drug trafficking network.
In a dramatic escalation of its anti-narcotics campaign, the United States government has announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of overseeing a sprawling drug trafficking empire in partnership with violent criminal groups.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi made the announcement on Wednesday, naming several criminal organizations including Tren de Aragua, Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, and Venezuela’s own Cartel of the Suns as key collaborators in what she called a “state-sponsored drug operation.”
“This is not just about corruption or failed leadership this is about a head of state operating as a drug kingpin,” Bondi said at a press conference. “We are going to pursue justice at the highest levels.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed that 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro’s network have been seized to date. Of that, 7 tons have been directly tied to shipments authorized by figures within Maduro’s inner circle, according to DEA intelligence.
Officials described the trafficking network as a primary source of revenue for both Venezuelan military factions and Mexican cartels, enabling widespread violence, corruption, and the expansion of transnational criminal operations.
An International Accusation
This is not the first time Maduro has been accused of narcotics trafficking by U.S. authorities. In 2020, federal prosecutors charged him and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, but diplomatic and logistical hurdles have prevented any arrest.
Venezuela’s government has rejected all allegations, labeling the charges as politically motivated and part of a broader U.S. campaign to destabilize the country. Caracas has not issued an official response to the latest bounty announcement.
Geopolitical Implications
The reward and renewed crackdown come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas, as well as a wider regional focus on narco-trafficking routes through Latin America. Human rights organizations have also warned of worsening conditions inside Venezuela, where millions have fled in recent years due to economic collapse and political repression.
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