Former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro arrived in New York in handcuffs following a dramatic US operation in Caracas, where he is expected to face charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine-importation conspiracy
Cheyenne R. Ubiera New Reporter, Maria Villarroel News Reporter and Paige Ingram
00:24, 04 Jan 2026
Former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro was seen in handcuffs stepping off an aircraft after landing in New York, where he's expected to face charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy, and weapons offences.
Following his touchdown at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York - roughly 60 miles north of New York City - Maduro was set to be ferried to Manhattan's West Side heliport before being handed to DEA officials for processing.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has condemned Maduro's capture as an 'act of war'. The ex-Venezuelan leader appeared dressed in grey clothing and restraints, flanked by over a dozen federal officers.
READ MORE: Deranged teen 'shoots parents and kills mum' in Boxing Day attack as manhunt ends
READ MORE: Adam Peaty wore impressive '£100k accessory' on wedding day - expert says
Maduro's New York arrival came mere hours after he and his spouse, Cilia Flores, were seized in Venezuela's capital, Caracas. CNN reported the pair were "dragged from their bedroom". The successful mission had been delayed by four days owing to poor weather conditions.
"We were going to do this four days ago but the weather was not perfect," the president disclosed on Fox and Friends earlier that day.
"All of a sudden it opened up and we just said go," he continued, describing Maduro's capital hideaway as "highly guarded," and "like a fortress."
The death toll from the dramatic U.S. operation stands at 40, including civilians, The New York Times reported. The lawfulness of the military intervention remains questionable, with Trump's opponents quick to slam the move, according to Express US reports.
On Saturday, the United Nations released a statement expressing being "deeply alarmed" by the American strikes, indicating the escalation might breach international law.
During Saturday's press briefing, Trump revealed his plans to "fix" the country's oil infrastructure and flog "large amounts" of petroleum to other nations after Maduro's capture.
Meanwhile, Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez demanded in a speech that Maduro be released and sent back to his home country, where he continues as the "legitimate leader."
Maduro is set to be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, a maximum-security facility in Brooklyn, whilst awaiting his court proceedings. The prison has previously housed notorious cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman before his life imprisonment, alongside Sean "Diddy" Combs, Ghislaine Maxwell, R. Kelly, and Sam Bankman-Fried.
Currently behind bars there is Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of the United Healthcare CEO.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates by clicking here.