NEW YORK – Officials released an unsealed indictment against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and others, after he and his wife were forcefully removed and extradited to New York Saturday.
According to an indictment filed in the Southern District of New York, Maduro is accused of partnering with regional narco-terrorist groups to push ‘tons’ of cocaine throughout the western hemisphere, including the United States, for more than two decades.
Read full indictment below.
President Donald Trump announced Friday night the U.S. carried out a ‘large scale strike’ against Venezuela and captured Maduro and his wife before transporting them to New York aboard a warship.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP“
Officials say Maduro will stand trial on criminal charges in the United States. The criminal case began in the Southern District of New York in March 2020.
Military operation.
President Trump posted a photo of Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima en route to New York Saturday to face prosecution.
Early reports suggest the president invoked his Article II powers to utilize the U.S. military to execute an arrest warrant within Venezuela’s borders.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday Congressional leaders were not notified prior to the operation, saying, it was a law enforcement mission and prior notification was not needed.
The president claimed members of Congress could have compromised the mission by leaking details of the mission, if they were given prior notification.
In a press conference Saturday morning, the president said the United States will ‘run’ Venezuela until a new government is established, which has raised concerns about American intervention abroad.
The president added, “We’re not afraid of ‘boots on the ground’ if we have to.”
U.S. officials say the operation was necessary to weaken drug cartels and protect Americans from an influx of drugs.
Who is Maduro?
Nicolás Maduro Moros became president of Venezuela following Hugo Chavez’s death in 2013 and declared victory in a presidential election in 2018.
In 2019, the National Assembly of Venezuela invoked the Venezuelan constitution and declared that Maduro had usurped power and was not the president of Venezuela.
Since 2019, more than 50 countries, including the U.S., have refused to recognize Maduro as head of state.
In the July 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, Maduro again declared himself the victor despite evidence to the contrary.
The U.S. joined many other countries in refusing to recognize Maduro as the legitimately elected president in the 2024 contested election.
Click here for the AP article.
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