U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the decisive nature of President Trump’s approach to Nicolás Maduro, contrasting it with the Biden administration’s unfulfilled $25 million bounty on the Venezuelan leader. In a recent statement, Rubio said, “In the Biden Administration, they had a $25 million reward for [Maduro's] capture — so we have a reward for his capture but we're not going to enforce it? That's the difference between President Trump and everybody else... President Trump did something about it.”

Rubio’s remarks underscore the Trump administration’s proactive strategy in handling foreign threats. On January 3, 2026, U.S. military forces carried out strikes in Caracas that resulted in Maduro’s capture on federal drug charges. The operation reportedly caused over 115 casualties and enabled the U.S. to gain control over key Venezuelan oil assets.

The Secretary framed the contrast as one of enforcement and action, noting that previous offers of reward did not translate into operational results. By acting decisively, the Trump administration sought to neutralize a long-standing narcotics threat while demonstrating the capability and willingness to intervene directly when national and regional security interests are at stake.

While the operation drew international attention and some criticism for bypassing congressional approval, Rubio emphasized that it sent a clear signal regarding the United States’ commitment to enforcing law and protecting American interests in the Western Hemisphere.