New York leaders, including New York CityMayorZohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have responded to President Donald Trump’s administration plan to bring and hold captured Venezuelan PresidentNicolas Maduro in the Empire State in social media posts on Saturday.
Why It Matters
In an early Saturday morning operation, the U.S. struck Caracas and captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at Trump’s direction. In an image shared by Trump on Truth Social, Maduro was seen blindfolded, handcuffed, holding a water bottle and wearing a grey Nike sweatsuit while aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
Maduro, his wife, and his son have been formally indicted in the Southern District of New York, including on charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said. Maduro had previously been indicted in March 2020 on “narco-terrorism” conspiracy charges in the same district, and in August 2025, the U.S. doubled its bounty to $50 million for information leading to his arrest. Maduro has denied any wrongdoing.
What To Know
Newly inaugurated New York City mayor Mamdani said he was briefed on the U.S. military capture of Maduro and his wife, “as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City.”
He called out the administration’s military operation, saying, “Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.” His statement continued, “This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance.”…