In a dramatic turn of events, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has been brought to American soil to face serious criminal charges. Footage emerged on Monday showing the 63-year-old, handcuffed and limping, being transported to a federal courthouse in New York following a daring capture by United States forces.
Dramatic Capture and Transfer to Court
Nicolás Maduro was seized alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, 69, during a surprise weekend operation in Caracas. The mission, authorised by President Donald Trump, reportedly involved strikes using Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, with explosions heard in parts of the Venezuelan capital. Both were seen in aerial footage under heavy security, handcuffed, and being moved between vehicles and a helicopter for transfer across Manhattan.
Serious Federal Charges Laid Out
US Attorney General Pam Bondi outlined a series of grave charges against Maduro. The Venezuelan president faces multiple federal indictments, including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. He is also accused of possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
Bondi confirmed that both Maduro and Flores have been formally indicted in New York, clearing the path for a US prosecution. "They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," Bondi stated, praising the military personnel involved in the "highly successful mission."
Legal Proceedings Begin in Manhattan
The couple was scheduled for an initial appearance at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan. For these first proceedings, the court has appointed New York-based criminal defence lawyer David Wikstrom to represent Maduro, according to CNN reports citing sources.
This extraordinary case, which blends high-stakes international politics with severe criminal allegations, is expected to draw intense global scrutiny as the legal process unfolds in New York. The capture and prosecution mark an unprecedented move in US-Venezuela relations.
