Former Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro was spotted in handcuffs disembarking from an airplane upon arrival in New York, where he is anticipated to face charges related to narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons violations.
Upon landing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, approximately 60 miles from New York City, Maduro was scheduled to be transported to Manhattan’s West Side heliport before being transferred to DEA officials for further processing.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized Maduro’s apprehension as an ‘act of war’. The former Venezuelan leader appeared in grey attire and restraints, surrounded by more than a dozen federal officers.
Maduro’s arrival in New York came shortly after he and his partner, Cilia Flores, were captured in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. According to CNN, the couple was “pulled from their bedroom”. The operation was delayed by four days due to adverse weather conditions.
“We initially planned this four days ago, but the weather was not favorable,” the president revealed on Fox and Friends earlier that day. “Suddenly, the weather cleared, and we decided to proceed,” he added, describing Maduro’s residence in the capital as “heavily guarded” and “fortress-like”.
The death toll from the dramatic U.S. operation is reported at 40, including civilians, as per The New York Times. The legality of the military intervention remains contentious, with critics of Trump quick to denounce the action, according to Express US reports.
The United Nations issued a statement on Saturday expressing deep concern over the American strikes, suggesting the escalation may violate international law.
During a press briefing on Saturday, Trump outlined plans to repair the country’s oil infrastructure and sell “significant quantities” of petroleum to other nations following Maduro’s arrest.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez demanded in a speech that Maduro be released and repatriated to his home country, where he is recognized as the “legitimate leader”.
Maduro is slated to be housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center, a high-security facility in Brooklyn, while awaiting court proceedings. The facility has previously accommodated prominent figures such as cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Ghislaine Maxwell, R. Kelly, and Sam Bankman-Fried. Additionally, Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of the United Healthcare CEO, is currently incarcerated there.
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