Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has arrived in the United States under heavy security following his capture, marking a dramatic moment in the long-running standoff between Washington and Caracas.
According to a federal official and footage from CNN affiliate WCBS, Maduro deboarded a plane at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York while wearing grey clothing and handcuffs. He was escorted by more than a dozen federal agents dressed in black, underscoring the high-profile nature of the operation.
The images represent the first confirmed visual evidence of Maduro in US custody since President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out a “large scale strike” that resulted in the Venezuelan leader’s arrest and removal from the country.
Transfer to Manhattan Detention Center
After landing, Maduro was expected to be transported by helicopter to Manhattan, New York City, where he will be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC). The facility is known for housing defendants in some of the most prominent federal cases in recent years, including music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and former crypto executive Sam Bankman-Fried.
Federal officials say Maduro is scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court next week, where he will face drug trafficking and weapons-related charges.
Longstanding US Accusations
Maduro has been a target of US law enforcement for years. During the first Trump administration, the US Department of Justice charged him with narco-terrorism, alleging that he conspired with armed groups to traffic large quantities of cocaine into the United States. Washington has long accused his government of corruption, criminal activity, and undermining democratic institutions in Venezuela.
Maduro and his allies have consistently denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and part of a broader US campaign to overthrow his government.
Global Reaction and Uncertainty Ahead
His arrival in New York comes amid growing international concern over the legality and consequences of the US operation. Venezuelan officials have demanded proof of life and condemned the arrest as an act of aggression, while President Trump has stated that the US intends to oversee Venezuela’s governance until a “proper transition” of power can be achieved.
As Maduro prepares to face a US court, questions remain about Venezuela’s future, the fate of its leadership, and the wider geopolitical fallout. What is clear is that the case is set to become one of the most consequential international prosecutions in modern US history.
