Sponsors (5)
The bill strengthens U.S. enforcement against high-level Venezuelan narcotics actors and funds a reward for Maduro using seized assets (avoiding new appropriations), but it raises significant diplomatic escalation and foreign-policy flexibility risks and may divert seized funds from other uses or victim restitution.
Federal law enforcement (DOJ) can more readily pursue high-level foreign narcotics figures using existing U.S. criminal statutes, strengthening U.S. ability to investigate and prosecute major traffickers.
Americans (taxpayers and the public) benefit from demonstrated enforcement success and disruption of criminal proceeds — prosecutions have produced large asset seizures (≈$450 million) that reduce traffickers' resources and deter illicit activity.
Taxpayers benefit because the bill creates a targeted financial incentive to locate and apprehend Nicolás Maduro and uses already-seized assets to pay the reward, avoiding the need for new appropriations.
Americans (diplomats, U.S. personnel abroad, and citizens with ties to Venezuela) face increased risk from diplomatic escalation or retaliation as criminal actions and publicized charges could heighten tensions with Venezuela.
U.S. policymakers and negotiators (federal employees and the government generally) could see reduced diplomatic flexibility because criminal charges against a foreign political leader may complicate negotiations or limit policy options.
Victims and taxpayers may be disadvantaged because liquidating seized assets to fund the reward could reduce funds available for other sanctions-related uses or restitution to victims.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes up to $100 million in rewards, paid from liquidated sanctioned assets, for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Nicolás Maduro.
Introduced January 9, 2025 by Richard Lynn Scott · Last progress January 9, 2025
Authorizes the Secretary of State to pay up to $100 million in one or more rewards to individuals who provide information that directly leads to the arrest and conviction of Nicolás Maduro, with payments funded solely from liquidation of assets withheld or seized from Maduro, his associates, or co-conspirators under existing U.S. sanctions authorities. The authorization overrides a statutory limitation so the reward can be paid from sanctioned asset proceeds rather than regular appropriations funds.