Cyprus Times

How the US Located Maduro: The CIA Source and the $50 Million Bounty

Published January 3, 2026, 16:05
How the US Located Maduro: The CIA Source and the $50 Million Bounty

The US has arrested Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, following an operation based on information from a CIA source within the Venezuelan government. Surveillance of Maduro was continuous, through a fleet of low-observable drones, combined with information from internal sources. This source, close to Maduro, reportedly did not require much pressure to cooperate, as they had "50 million reasons," referring to the bounty issued by the US government for the Venezuelan president. The operation was allegedly carried out by the elite Delta Force unit. Maduro and his wife are being transported to New York, where they are expected to appear before judges on Monday to face charges. The indictment is new, and details will be made public at a White House press conference. This case echoes previous US interventions in Latin America, such as the arrest of Manuel Noriega in Panama. The accuracy of the surveillance and the penetration of US intelligence services into Venezuela underscore the CIA's central role in the operation. Donald Trump commented on the operation, stating that he watched it "like a TV show." Maduro's arrest is a significant event in US-Venezuela relations and is expected to have major implications for the political situation in the country.