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The Venezuelan leader and his wife were flown to New York to face narco-terrorism and weapons charges as questions mount over the operation’s legality.
NEW YORK CITY, NY — Nicolás Maduro was taken into federal custody in New York late Saturday after U.S. forces captured the Venezuelan leader in Caracas and flew him to the city for prosecution on narco-terrorism and weapons charges. His wife, Cilia Flores, was also transported to the U.S. and placed in custody, officials said.
Maduro’s arrival in New York marks a sharp escalation in the long-running confrontation between Washington and Caracas. Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York say they will pursue a case alleging yearslong cocaine trafficking and support for violent groups. The White House framed the operation as a law enforcement mission tied to existing U.S. indictments. Critics in the U.S. and abroad questioned the legal basis for seizing a sitting foreign leader and warned of regional fallout. A United Nations Security Council meeting is expected Monday, as American officials prepare for Maduro’s first court appearance as early as the start of the week.
Just after nightfall Saturday, a U.S. military helicopter convoy brought Maduro and Flores from a staging point to a Manhattan riverside landing zone, where federal agents and New York City police formed a tight cordon. The pair were driven to be processed by federal authorities before transfer to a detention facility, according to officials familiar with the sequence. Onlookers behind barricades waved Venezuelan and American flags, and some chanted as the motorcade passed. President Donald Trump later said the U.S. would “run” Venezuela temporarily to stabilize the country and guide a political transition. Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, denounced the raid as an illegal act of aggression and said Maduro remains the nation’s legitimate leader.
Federal prosecutors say the case centers on a conspiracy to ship large quantities of cocaine into the United States and to arm factions involved in the trade with machine guns and explosives. An unsealed indictment names Maduro, Flores and several current and former Venezuelan officials, along with alleged partners in transnational gangs. Authorities said the couple were moved under guard to New York to face charges in the Southern District, where defendants could be presented as early as Monday. Officials did not immediately detail the full set of counts or the prospective sentencing exposure. The Justice Department said the investigation draws on years of records from U.S. agencies and foreign partners; the scope of cooperating witnesses was not disclosed.
Maduro’s detention places him within a federal system that has housed other high-profile international defendants and could put him before a Manhattan judge who has handled prior terrorism and narcotics cases. The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a frequent holding site for overseas defendants, has faced scrutiny over conditions and past outages. U.S. officials said security protocols were heightened for Maduro’s intake and transport. It remains unknown where Flores will be detained pending court appearances, or whether the couple will be housed separately. New York City emergency services monitored the convoy’s route as supporters and critics gathered near the heliport and outside the jail complex.
The operation immediately stirred legal debate. Administration lawyers argued existing U.S. indictments and national security interests justified the mission as part of law enforcement. International law scholars countered that drug and gang offenses do not meet common thresholds for the use of force across borders absent self-defense or U.N. authorization. Comparisons were drawn to the 1989 arrest of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, although analysts noted key differences, including the lack of a recognized opposition government requesting intervention. Congress was not asked to authorize the operation, and no request from Venezuelan authorities was acknowledged by U.S. officials.
Regional and global reactions underscored the stakes. Russia and Iran condemned the U.S. action and voiced support for Caracas, while some Latin American governments called for an emergency regional dialogue. Argentina praised the move, citing the narcotics charges. In Caracas, Rodríguez announced she had been sworn in as interim leader and vowed to maintain state functions while pressing for Maduro’s release. In New York, city officials prepared for courthouse security around an expected initial appearance, and Venezuelan American groups organized vigils and demonstrations across the metro area through early next week.
Court logistics will shape the coming days. Prosecutors are expected to seek pretrial detention, citing flight risk and security concerns. Defense arrangements were not immediately announced; attorneys with experience in extraterritorial prosecutions said jurisdictional challenges and suppression motions are likely. A federal magistrate judge could handle an initial appearance and arraignment as early as Monday, with a district judge assignment to follow. Separately, the U.N. Security Council is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the operation and its implications. Additional indictments or superseding charges could be filed as investigators process materials seized during the raid.
Outside the detention center Sunday morning, a few dozen people braved cold wind to watch the perimeter gates. “This is a turning point for Venezuela,” said Luis Hernández, a Caracas-born taxi driver who moved to Queens in 2017. “But we don’t know what it means yet.” Across the street, Maria Valdez, who said she has family still in Maracaibo, worried about reprisals. “My cousins are scared,” Valdez said. “They just want the lights to stay on and food to be in the stores.” New Yorkers paused to record the passing convoy on their phones as federal marshals ordered crowds back behind barriers.
As of Sunday afternoon, Maduro remained in federal custody in New York with an initial court appearance expected early this week and a U.N. session set for Monday. Officials said more details on charges and detention arrangements would be released ahead of the hearing.
Author note: Last updated January 4, 2026.
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