Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been captured by U.S. forces and are now in New York, where they are scheduled to appear in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York at noon on Monday, a court spokesperson confirmed.
President Trump, speaking at a Saturday press briefing, said the U.S. would temporarily “run” Venezuela during the transition and “get the oil flowing,” adding on Sunday that America was “in charge” of the country.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the U.S. does not plan to directly govern Venezuela but will continue enforcing an “oil quarantine” to influence the nation’s policies.
Maduro and his wife arrived in New York on Saturday after being captured in Caracas during a U.S. military operation. They are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and face federal charges, including drug trafficking and working with gangs designated as terrorist organizations—allegations Maduro denies.
Officials told CBS News that the operation was carried out by the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force. The mission followed months of military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford and other naval vessels, as well as a series of targeted strikes on more than 30 boats reportedly transporting drugs.
The Southern District of New York is known for handling high-profile and politically sensitive cases, particularly those involving international defendants, making it the venue for the initial proceedings against the former Venezuelan leader and his wife.
