Abducted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, in his first US court appearance in New York, pleaded not guilty to federal charges while insisting he is still president of his country. 63-year-old Maduro, who has served as the president of Venezuela since 2013, was captured by the US in a covert operation inside Venezuela on January 3.
As the world reacts to the dramatic capture, here is a closer look at who Nicolas Maduro is and details about his net worth.
From bus driver to president
Maduro was born in 1962 in Caracas and began his working life as a bus driver for the Caracas Metro system. His involvement in trade unions eventually pushed him into politics, where he became a close ally of former president Hugo Chávez.
Maduro served as Venezuela’s foreign minister from 2006 to 2013 and later as vice president. After Chávez died in 2013, Maduro became president following a disputed election. He has since held onto power through controversial elections in 2018 and 2024.
During Maduro’s presidency, Venezuela slid into hyperinflation, and witnessed food and medicine shortages, and a deep humanitarian crisis that forced millions to flee the country. His government has faced repeated allegations of corruption, with claims that senior officials diverted billions of dollars in oil revenue through illegal networks.
What is Maduro’s net worth?
Regardless of the corruption accusations, public estimates of Maduro’s personal wealth remain surprisingly modest. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Maduro has an estimated net worth of around $2 million. His wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, is estimated to be worth between $2 million and $5 million. These figures are largely based on official salaries and declared assets.
$700 million asset seizure
In contrast to the modest net-worth estimates, US authorities say they have seized massive assets linked to Maduro’s alleged criminal network. US government recently confiscated a luxury mansion in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, as part of a broader $700 million asset forfeiture tied to Maduro.US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the seizure in an interview with Fox Noticias, calling it one of several luxury assets linked to the Venezuelan leader.
According to Bondi, the seized assets include multimillion-dollar jets, luxury homes in Florida, a horse farm, vehicles, jewelry, and cash, together worth more than $700 million.
Inside Villa La Caracola
The seized Dominican Republic property, known as Villa La Caracola, is located in Cap Cana, an exclusive enclave near Punta Cana. The oceanfront estate spans around 32,291 square feet on a 64,583 sq ft plot. It features nine bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, private terraces, ten bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, multiple entertainment areas, a gazebo, and an infinity-edge pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea.The gated community also offers luxury amenities including a helipad, spas, gyms, restaurants, shops, cycling paths, a church, and 24-hour security.
According to reports, Villa La Caracola was originally bought for $13 million and later sold for $18 million to Samark José López Bello. US authorities have identified López Bello as a frontman for former Venezuelan vice president Tareck El Aissami and a representative of Maduro. Separate reports also claim Maduro acquired two properties in a luxury Miami skyscraper for over $21 million in total. The same project reportedly attracted celebrities such as David Beckham.