In a stunning global development, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. forces during an overnight military raid on January 3. The operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, has culminated in their arrival in New York to face federal prosecution.
7 Key Updates on the Capture and Arrival
* The Operation: At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, U.S. Special Operations teams (including Delta Force and the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team) launched a “large-scale strike” involving over 150 aircraft. Maduro was reportedly apprehended while attempting to reach a reinforced safe room in his Caracas compound.
* The Journey to New York: After being seized, the couple was flown via helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean. From there, they were transported to Guantanamo Bay before landing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, NY, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
* Arrival at DEA Headquarters: Maduro was escorted by a motorcade to the DEA’s Manhattan headquarters on the West Side Highway for processing and fingerprinting. Footage showed him in a black hooded sweatshirt and handcuffs, reportedly attempting to speak English to agents.
* Helicopter Transfer over the Statue of Liberty: In a highly symbolic move, Maduro and Flores were flown by a three-helicopter convoy down the Hudson River, passing the Statue of Liberty, before landing at a Brooklyn heliport to be taken to jail.
* Current Detention: As of Sunday morning, Maduro is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, a high-security federal facility. Authorities have not yet confirmed if his wife, Cilia Flores, is being housed in the same facility.
* The Indictment: The couple faces a superseding indictment in the Southern District of New York. Charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and possession of machine guns and “destructive devices.”
* Arraignment Date: Maduro and Flores are expected to make their first appearance in Manhattan federal court by Monday evening, January 5, 2026.
7 “Stories” and Perspectives from the Ground
* The “Happy New Year” Moment: During processing at the DEA office, witnesses and video footage noted a surreal moment where a smiling Maduro reportedly wished the agents a “Happy New Year” while being led through the hallway.
* Trump’s “Run the Country” Proclamation: President Trump announced the capture on Truth Social, stating that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela for now to oversee a transition, sparking intense debate over international sovereignty.
* The New York Mayor’s Protest: Newly sworn-in NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani immediately condemned the event, calling the capture an “act of war” and a “violation of international law,” even speaking directly to Trump to register his opposition.
* The Scene at MDC Brooklyn: Crowds gathered outside the Brooklyn jail as Maduro arrived; some were Venezuelan exiles cheering the arrest with flags, while others protested the U.S. military intervention.
* The Safe Room Close Call: Reports emerged that Maduro nearly evaded capture by reaching a steel-reinforced safe room, but he was unable to close the heavy door in time before U.S. forces breached the perimeter.
* Delcy Rodríguez Steps In: In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was ordered by the Supreme Court to assume the presidency. She has labeled the capture a “barbaric kidnapping” and demanded Maduro’s immediate release.
* The Social Media Reveal: One of the first images of the capture was posted by the White House, showing Maduro wearing a sweatsuit and a blindfold while being transported on a U.S. warship.