Dramatic Capture Ends Era: Ousted Venezuelan Leader Nicolás Maduro Arrives in New York in U.S. Custody

January 04, 2026

In a stunning escalation of U.S. action against alleged narco-terrorism, former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores arrived in New York City late Saturday to face long-standing federal charges, following a daring overnight military raid on Caracas.

Audacious Raid: How the Operation Unfolded

The pre-dawn operation, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve by officials, involved elite U.S. commandos descending on Maduro's fortified compound in the Venezuelan capital. Explosions rocked military sites, including Fort Tiuna, as air defenses were neutralized to allow helicopters to extract the couple without American casualties.

Maduro and Flores were swiftly transported aboard a U.S. warship before a Justice Department jet flew them to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York. From there, a helicopter ferried them to Manhattan for processing, culminating in their transfer to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn around 9 p.m.

Facing Justice: Indictment on Serious Charges

The couple now confronts a 2020 Southern District of New York indictment accusing them of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons offenses. Authorities describe Maduro as the head of a vast criminal network flooding the United States with illicit drugs.

An arraignment in Manhattan federal court could occur as early as Monday, marking a swift move from capture to courtroom.

Trump's Bold Vision: U.S. to Oversee Venezuela Temporarily

President Donald Trump announced the United States would "run" Venezuela during a transition period, emphasizing access to its massive oil reserves for global sale and investment by American companies. He stated the goal is a "safe, proper and judicious" handover, while vowing to halt drug flows and reclaim resources.

Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed interim leadership in Caracas, per a supreme court order, and demanded proof of life amid denunciations of the raid as aggression.

Global Reactions: Celebrations and Condemnations

Venezuelan communities in Miami and New York erupted in joy, with crowds waving flags and celebrating the end of Maduro's rule. Opposition figures hailed it as a turning point after years of contested elections and economic collapse.

International responses varied sharply, with some allies criticizing the unilateral action and others quietly noting implications for regional influence from powers like Russia and China.

Rejected Exit: Path to Confrontation

Maduro had reportedly turned down late-December offers for exile, including a proposal to relocate to Turkey, opting instead to remain in power despite mounting pressure.

As forensic details emerge and diplomatic fallout intensifies, this operation reshapes hemispheric dynamics, bringing a decades-long standoff to American soil and raising profound questions about intervention, justice, and energy in the Americas.

With Maduro behind bars in Brooklyn, the focus shifts to Venezuela's uncertain future and potential ripple effects across the region.