$50M Man: US Most-Wanted Leader Maduro Unveils Special Forces to Defend His Regime

Nicolás Maduro inaugurating the graduates of the COER 

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who remains on the U.S. State Department’s most wanted list with a $50 million reward on his head, has inaugurated the latest graduates of the country’s elite Revolutionary Special Operations Course (COER).

Writing on his verified Facebook page, Maduro congratulated the graduates of the II COER program, describing the initiative as “a wonderful creation of the Bolivarian Revolution” that strengthens Venezuela’s military and police institutions by equipping them with combat readiness, professionalism, and “a deep moral.”

“Stronger and more prepared than yesterday, we are in a better position to defend peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have more national and international support,” he declared.

Maduro praised the Venezuelan armed forces (FANB) as the guardians of the nation’s sovereignty, insisting that Venezuela does not threaten other countries nor maintain foreign military bases. He urged unity, highlighting cooperation with Colombia through Binational Zone No. 1, and called on citizens to “enjoy the peace and freedom that we deserve.”

The U.S., however, views Maduro differently. After initially offering up to $15 million in 2020 for information leading to his arrest or conviction, the State Department raised the reward to $25 million in January 2025, and most recently to $50 million on August 7, 2025. This came shortly after the U.S. Treasury designated the Cartel of the Suns, which Maduro allegedly leads, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization.

Maduro is now the first figure in the history of the U.S. Narcotics Rewards Program to have a bounty exceeding $25 million, underscoring Washington’s intensified campaign to pressure his regime.