H.R. 268: Securing Timely Opportunities for Payment and Maximizing Awards for Detaining Unlawful Re… (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, titled the "Securing Timely Opportunities for Payment and Maximizing Awards for Detaining Unlawful Regime Officials Act of 2025" (or the "STOP MADURO Act"), seeks to significantly increase the financial incentive for individuals to provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of Nicolás Maduro Moros, the President of Venezuela. Here are the key points:

Key Provisions

Increased Reward Amount: The bill proposes to raise the maximum reward for information regarding Maduro from the existing amount to up to $100,000,000. This reward would be given to individuals who provide actionable information that leads to his arrest and conviction.
Source of Funds: The funds for this reward would come solely from the liquidation of assets that the U.S. government has withheld from Maduro and his associates due to legal actions against them. This includes assets that have been identified under various laws and executive orders related to drug trafficking and human rights violations.
Historical Context: The bill references prior criminal charges against Maduro. In 2020, he was indicted by U.S. authorities on various serious charges including participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy, drug trafficking, and using weapons in furtherance of these crimes.
Legal Framework: The payment structure will operate under the existing framework of the State Department's rewards program and in compliance with U.S. sanctions laws that target Maduro and his regime.

Objectives

The primary goal of this legislation is to incentivize individuals, potentially including those within Venezuela or related regions, to come forward with information that could facilitate the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. The hope is that by significantly increasing the reward, the U.S. government can motivate people to act against what is described as a corrupt and dangerous regime.

Implications

Should this bill be enacted, it may have implications for U.S. foreign policy regarding Venezuela, impacting relations and the dynamics of the region further. It reflects a broader strategy of using financial incentives as a tool to combat drug trafficking and authoritarian governance.