Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro reached New York City on Sunday after being captured by US forces in a surprise nighttime raid at his military base in Caracas. The captured Venezuelan leader was handcuffed as he was taken to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headquarters in Manhattan.
As Maduro was taken inside the US drug agency office, he offered calm New Year greetings to DEA officers escorting him. A video has emerged showing Maduro being taken inside the headquarters by two DEA officials. The Venezuelan President was seen smiling as he said, “Good night, Happy New Year,” to those accompanying him.
Watch The Video Here
‘GOOD NIGHT HAPPY NEW YEAR’ MADURO 1ST WORDS AT NYC DEA pic.twitter.com/mvCIjOWiXi
— RT (@RT_com) January 4,
2026
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, first landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York State, after which they were transported by helicopter to the DEA office in Manhattan and subsequently to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Upon arrival in New York, Maduro was expected to be transferred to federal court in Manhattan. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said he will face charges including narcoterrorism, cocaine trafficking, and weapons offences linked related to his leadership of the so-called “Cartel of the Suns” The Justice Department had previously offered a $15 million reward for his arrest.
US forces captured Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores following rapid strike in the early hours of Saturday. Residents in Caracas reported hearing multiple explosions during the brief assault. At least seven blasts were heard, allegedly hitting military targets. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said civilians and members of the armed forces were killed, though she did not specify the numbers.
Trump Announces Interim US Control Of Venezuela
Further, American officials said the couple are expected to face prosecution in the US on narco-terrorism charges.
In a dramatic shift for Western Hemisphere geopolitics, Trump announced that the US administration would assume responsibility for governing Venezuela on an interim basis, adding that the transition was already underway.
Speaking throughout Saturday, Trump said US forces would remain in Venezuela to oversee a “proper transition,” marking the most direct American military intervention in the region in nearly four decades.
Trump posted a photo on Truth Social showing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, aboard the USS Iwo Jima, confirming the success of the operation codenamed “Southern Spear.”
Trump Issues Threat Of Further Military Action
Trump said the US is “there now” and will remain until a new government is formed, stating, “We are going to run it, essentially, until such time as a proper transition can take place.” He also announced plans to deploy US oil companies to revive Venezuela’s energy sector.
Warning of further action, Trump said the Pentagon is prepared for a “second and much larger attack” if resistance continues. The operation has drawn praise from some Venezuelan opposition figures, while regional leaders have condemned it as a violation of international law.
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176787503651619430.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176787502917019095.webp)
