Reward in effect
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York charges Diosdado Cabello Rondón with narco-terrorism conspiracy
Diosdado Cabello Rondón is named as a defendant in the superseding indictment unsealed on January 3, 2026, in the Southern District of New York (case S4 11 Cr. 205 (AKH)), which charges him with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and related firearms counts. He had first been charged in March 2020. The U.S. State Department offers a reward of up to US$25 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
Current status
According to the U.S. State Department, Cabello Rondón is the only one of the 2020 defendants who remains at large. The reward offer is listed as in effect.
Next review:
Charges as stated in the document
Count 1: “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy”
Statute cited: 21 U.S.C. § 960a; 18 U.S.C. § 3238
Count 2: “Cocaine Importation Conspiracy”
Statute cited: 21 U.S.C. § 963; 18 U.S.C. § 3238
Count 3: “Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices”
Statute cited: 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A), 924(c)(1)(B)(ii), 3238 and 2
Count 4: “Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices”
Statute cited: 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(o) and 3238
Official documents cited
Sealed Superseding Indictment, United States v. Nicolas Maduro Moros et al.
- Case
- S4 11 Cr. 205 (AKH)
- Document date
- Accessed
Diosdado Cabello Rondón — Narcotics Rewards Program: Wanted
- Document date
- Accessed
Diosdado Cabello Rondón — Reward Poster (English)
- Document date
- Accessed
Analysis
Two kinds of money, two fates
The U.S. reward is a lawful payment that protects the person who provides information. Money from the Cartel de los Soles is blocked money that follows whoever receives it, wherever they are.
The reward
- It is a lawful payment from the U.S. government: the Narcotics Rewards Program has already paid more than US$135 million to people who provided information. [1]
- When necessary, the State Department takes steps to protect the identity and safety of the person who receives the payment. [1]
- Up to US$25 million is offered for information on Diosdado Cabello Rondón, and up to US$15 million for information on Vladimir Padrino López. [2][3]
- Important: public officials and government employees cannot receive rewards. [1]
Money from the Cartel de los Soles
- The United States designated it a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on July 25, 2025, and a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 24, 2025. [4][5]
- Its property is blocked, and the prohibitions include receiving funds from a designated person. In OFAC's words, “Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons.” [4]
- Providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and U.S. law reaches that offense even when it occurs outside U.S. territory. [6]
One option is a lawful payment that protects you. The other is marked money that can make you a target of the U.S. justice system in any country.
- [1] U.S. Department of State, “Narcotics Rewards Program”, accessed .
- [2] U.S. Department of State, “Diosdado Cabello Rondón — Narcotics Rewards Program: Wanted”, accessed .
- [3] U.S. Department of State, “Vladimir Padrino López — Narcotics Rewards Program: Wanted”, accessed .
- [4] U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC), “Treasury Sanctions Venezuelan Cartel Headed by Maduro”, .
- [5] U.S. Department of State, “Foreign Terrorist Organizations (Cartel de los Soles, Nov. 24, 2025)”, accessed .
- [6] U.S. Code, “18 U.S.C. § 2339B — Providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations”, current text.
How to submit information
The U.S. Department of State says information can be sent to the DEA by email. All identities are kept strictly confidential.
CartelSolesTips@usdoj.gov
The printed poster shows an older address (@dea.gov). Current State Department pages list the one above.