New York, NY – January 4, 2026 – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been detained in a Brooklyn detention center, pending his appearance before a federal court in Manhattan tomorrow, Monday. Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and transported to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offices in New York for initial questioning, following their arrival at a National Guard base north of the city.
Footage showed Maduro, surrounded by FBI agents, disembarking a US government aircraft at Stewart Air National Guard Base. The US authorities have announced their intention to oversee a transitional phase in Venezuela and exploit its vast oil reserves, according to statements made by President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Constitutional Court has announced the appointment of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim president. Rodriguez vowed to defend the country’s independence in her first public statement since assuming the role.
The Maduros arrived in New York last night and are expected to appear before the federal court in Manhattan.
The US Department of Justice has released an indictment against President Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores. The indictment accuses Maduro of “leading a corrupt and illegitimate government for years” and of abusing his power through illegal activities, including drug trafficking, thereby enriching the country’s political and military elite. The document also accuses the Venezuelan president of “collaborating with the world’s most dangerous drug traffickers and terrorists.”
China’s Foreign Ministry has called on the United States to immediately release President Maduro and his wife and to work towards resolving the crisis. The situation remains fluid as the international community reacts to these developments in Venezuela.
