Venezuela Slams $50M US Bounty on Maduro as “Pathetic” Epstein Scandal Diversion

The United States has dramatically escalated its confrontation with Venezuela, doubling the bounty on President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million for alleged drug trafficking. The move drew immediate condemnation from Caracas, which dismissed it as a “pathetic” attempt to distract Americans from mounting pressure to release Jeffrey Epstein files.

Why Did the US Increase Maduro’s Bounty to $50 Million?

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the heightened reward in a video statement on August 7, 2025, citing evidence from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to Bondi, the DEA recently seized 30 tons of cocaine directly linked to Maduro and his associates. “He is one of the largest narco traffickers in the world and a threat to our national security,” Bondi declared, alleging that drug profits fund Venezuela’s “deadly gangs” and fuel America’s fentanyl crisis. This isn’t the first U.S. action against Maduro—Washington previously offered a $15 million bounty in 2020 and has sanctioned Venezuelan officials for years.

The timing raised eyebrows, however. Just days earlier, reports emerged that Trump administration officials were strategizing to “change the national conversation” amid intense scrutiny over Epstein-related documents. While the White House denies this, Bondi’s video coincided with viral social media demands for Epstein transparency, including planned appearances on platforms like Joe Rogan’s podcast (BBC, August 2025).

Venezuela’s Explosive Response: “Political Propaganda”

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil blasted the bounty as a manufactured distraction. “This is pathetic political propaganda,” Gil stated, accusing the U.S. of exploiting drug allegations to divert attention from the Epstein fallout. The regime highlighted America’s domestic turmoil, suggesting hypocrisy in Trump’s moral posturing.

Maduro’s government has long faced international isolation. His disputed 2024 re-election sparked protests and sanctions from the U.S., U.K., and EU. Critics accuse him of crushing dissent through violence and electoral manipulation—a pattern documented by Human Rights Watch since his 2013 rise to power.

The Narco-Trafficking Case Against Maduro

The U.S. case hinges partly on testimonies from former Maduro allies. Hugo Carvajal, once Venezuela’s military intelligence chief, was extradited to the U.S. in 2023 and convicted on drug charges after a failed coup attempt. Legal experts suggest Carvajal’s cooperation may underpin the new evidence against Maduro.

Venezuela’s economic collapse has deepened its ties to illicit trade. A 2024 UN report noted expanding drug routes through the Caribbean, though it stopped short of directly implicating Maduro. Still, the DEA insists the seized cocaine—worth roughly $1.2 billion—traces back to his inner circle (DEA Press Release, August 2025).

The $50 million bounty signals an unprecedented U.S. offensive against Maduro, but Venezuela’s retaliation frames it as a desperate stunt. As both nations trade accusations, the truth remains entangled in geopolitics and scandal. For ongoing updates on this developing story, follow our verified channels.

Must Know

Q: What is Nicolas Maduro accused of by the U.S.?
A: The U.S. alleges Maduro leads a drug-trafficking network that shipped 30 tons of cocaine to America, using profits to fund armed groups. Attorney General Bondi called him a “national security threat” linked to fentanyl-related deaths.

Q: Why does Venezuela call the bounty a distraction?
A: Foreign Minister Yvan Gil claims the U.S. manufactured the bounty to shift focus from demands to release Jeffrey Epstein files—a theory fueled by reports of White House efforts to “change the conversation.”

Q: Has Maduro faced international penalties before?
A: Yes. The U.S. and allies imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector and officials since 2019. The $50 million bounty doubles a 2020 reward and follows Hugo Carvajal’s extradition.

Q: How did Maduro react to his 2024 election victory?
A: His contested win triggered protests and global condemnation. Observers cited voter suppression and barred opponents, cementing his authoritarian reputation.

Q: Could the bounty lead to Maduro’s arrest?
A: Unlikely immediately. He retains power in Venezuela, but travel to U.S.-allied nations risks capture. The reward incentivizes insider leaks to build prosecutable evidence.