In an unprecedented geopolitical development, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores have been transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, following their capture during a large-scale American military operation in Venezuela. The dramatic events unfolded early Saturday morning, marking one of the most significant international incidents in recent history.
According to multiple intelligence reports and verified video evidence, the military aircraft transporting the Venezuelan leadership touched down at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, approximately at 5:00 PM EST (2200 GMT) on Saturday. The operation represents a dramatic escalation in the ongoing tensions between the United States and the Venezuelan government.
The United States Department of Justice has unsealed a comprehensive indictment detailing serious charges against President Maduro and several associates. The allegations include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and multiple weapons-related charges involving machine guns and destructive devices. Legal proceedings are scheduled to commence next week in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The extraordinary military action has triggered immediate international backlash and domestic criticism. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revealed he had directly contacted President Donald Trump to express vehement opposition to what he characterized as an unlawful pursuit of regime change that violates both federal and international statutes. Demonstrators gathered outside the Newburgh air base to protest the US intervention in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, in Caracas, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez convened an emergency session of the National Defense Council, demanding the immediate release of the detained leadership. The session was broadcast nationally on state television, signaling the Venezuelan government’s determination to maintain continuity of governance amid the crisis.