President Donald Trump, a long-time critic of Maduro, has never recognised his victory in the recent January elections, which were widely condemned for alleged vote rigging. The international community also rejected the results.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the increased reward, saying Maduro is directly linked to international drug trafficking networks. She revealed that the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had seized 30 tons of cocaine connected to Maduro and his associates, with nearly 7 tons tied directly to him.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil strongly condemned the move, calling it "pathetic" and “political propaganda.”

“We’re not surprised, considering where it’s coming from,” he said, accusing the US of trying to distract the public from backlash related to its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Maduro has consistently denied accusations of involvement in drug trafficking. However, the US government maintains that he conspired with Colombia’s rebel group FARC to "weaponise cocaine" and flood the US with drugs.

Maduro leads the United Socialist Party and succeeded Hugo Chávez in 2013. He has been repeatedly accused of violently suppressing political opposition and silencing dissent. Despite mass protests after last year’s disputed election, Maduro has remained firmly in power.

In June, Hugo Carvajal, Venezuela’s former military intelligence chief, was convicted in the US on multiple drug trafficking charges following his extradition from Spain. Known by the nickname “El Pollo” (The Chicken), Carvajal had denounced Maduro and called on the military to support the opposition.

Although he initially pleaded not guilty, Carvajal later changed his plea, fuelling speculation that he may have struck a deal with US authorities to reduce his sentence in exchange for confidential information on Maduro’s activities.

As international pressure mounts, both the UK and European Union imposed new sanctions on Maduro’s government following his controversial return to office earlier this year.