In a dramatic and highly controversial turn of events, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is now being held in a New York detention centre after being seized by U.S. military forces during a large‑scale operation, and U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will “run” Venezuela temporarily while a transition of power is arranged. The unprecedented capture of a sitting head of state — outside legal extradition procedures — has set off a cascade of international reactions, legal questions and geopolitical tension.
Maduro’s Capture and Transfer to New York
On January 3, 2026, U.S. special forces, as part of what U.S. officials described as Operation Absolute Resolve, carried out a military strike in Caracas that led to the capture of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple were flown to the United States shortly afterward, with the operation reportedly involving air raids on strategic targets and the seizure of key government figures.
Once on U.S. soil, Maduro was taken into custody and transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York — a federal facility that houses high‑profile detainees — where he is being held as he awaits court proceedings.
The 63‑year‑old Venezuelan leader was indicted in New York on narco‑terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal weapons and conspiracy charges that date back to a 2020 indictment alleging involvement in the transshipment of cocaine into the United States, among other offences
Trump’s Statement: ‘We Will Run the Country’
Following the capture, President Donald Trump addressed reporters during a press conference in Mar‑a‑Lago, Florida, asserting that the U.S. would take on governance responsibilities in Venezuela on an interim basis. Trump said the United States would “run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” indicating an open‑ended period of administrative involvement.
Trump’s comments went further, suggesting that U.S. oil companies would play a significant role in rebuilding and managing Venezuela’s vast — but dilapidated — oil infrastructure. He framed this as part of an effort to restore economic stability and generate revenue for both nations. mint
At the same time, Trump did not rule out future military engagement, telling reporters he was “not afraid of boots on the ground” if needed. He also named senior officials — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — as part of the team expected to help guide Venezuela through the transition.
Legal Proceedings and Charges in U.S. Court
Maduro is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Manhattan early in the coming week. He and Flores face multiple federal charges, including narco‑terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offences, which were superseded from the original 2020 indictments. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that both would be prosecuted under longstanding warrants, representing one of the most extraordinary uses of U.S. criminal law against a foreign head of state.
Under standard procedure, defendants in federal cases await trial in U.S. detention centres, with the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn known for holding several high‑profile inmates prior to court appearances.
Legal experts have warned that the manner in which Maduro was captured — through a U.S. military operation rather than traditional extradition — raises serious international law questions, though precedent suggests the U.S. courts will not necessarily bar prosecution based solely on the capture method.
Reaction in Venezuela and International Backlash
In Venezuela, the sudden removal of Maduro has plunged the political situation into uncertainty. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was declared interim president by Venezuela’s Supreme Court, but she vigorously condemned the U.S. action as “illegal” and an act of political terrorism, demanding the immediate release of Maduro and Flores. Supporters in Caracas reportedly protested, with some burning U.S. flags in defiance of the operation.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition figures, including exiled leader María Corina Machado, hailed the operation as an opportunity for liberation, calling for interim leadership and a rapid transition to governance without Maduro. However, Trump publicly dismissed Machado as lacking sufficient domestic support to lead.
The international reaction has been sharply divided. China and Russia condemned the capture and U.S. intervention as a breach of sovereignty and called for Maduro’s release, while some Western governments described Maduro’s indictment and capture as a long‑sought measure of accountability. The United Nations Security Council was expected to hold emergency discussions in response to the crisis.
Regional Stability and Power Vacuum Concerns
The unprecedented operation has raised deep concerns about regional stability. Venezuela’s security forces remain influential within the country, and there are questions over how much practical control the U.S. can exercise without a prolonged military presence. The interim leadership under Rodríguez claims legitimacy, while the true political power dynamics within Venezuela remain fluid.
International diplomacy has come into focus as nations weigh the ramifications of direct U.S. intervention in a sovereign state. Legal and geopolitical experts argue that the operation could set a concerning precedent for unilateral military actions justified through domestic criminal charges, particularly when traditional mechanisms of international law and extradition have not been employed.
Economic Implications and Oil Industry Focus
Venezuela’s oil reserves, among the largest in the world, feature prominently in the unfolding narrative. Trump’s emphasis on involving U.S. oil companies in rebuilding the sector has been interpreted by critics and supporters alike as a blend of strategic economic interest and geopolitical leverage. Analysts say reviving Venezuela’s oil infrastructure — neglected for years — could take many years and billions of dollars in investment.
How oil sector reforms or U.S. involvement will influence both Venezuela’s economy and global energy markets remains uncertain. However, the possibility of enhanced U.S. access to Venezuelan oil — coupled with the political transition — adds a complex layer to an already volatile situation.
Looking Ahead: Legal Battles and Geopolitical Tensions
As Maduro’s legal process in the Southern District of New York begins, the case will test the intersection of criminal justice, international relations and military intervention. With his detention in the U.S. raising questions that extend far beyond narcotics charges — touching on sovereignty, foreign policy and regional power balances — the situation is likely to dominate global headlines and diplomatic discourse for months to come.
