Handcuffed Maduro Arrives In US; First Video, Remarks Emerge | Watch | World News
The first video of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s arrival in the United States emerged on Saturday; In this video, Maduro is seen being handcuffed and escorted by US officials as he gets off the helicopter at New York’s Stewart Airport.
In a video circulating online, Maduro is seen walking down a hallway in handcuffs and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. In the footage, he can be heard saying “good night” and “Happy New Year” to the authorities.
BREAKING NEWS: Maduro was taken to the DEA office in New Yorkpic.twitter.com/Dvz6xRKdB9— Jackson Hinkle (@jacksonhinkle) January 4, 2026
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Maduro fell into the hands of the USA
Maduro was captured on January 3 in what US officials described as a bold and high-risk military operation. The operation reportedly lasted less than 30 minutes and took place amid explosions in Caracas and other areas as elite Delta Force units mounted a pre-dawn raid to detain Maduro and transport him by U.S. helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima at an undisclosed location in the Caribbean Sea.
Maduro was transferred from the Navy ship to the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and then taken to Stewart Air Force Base in New York’s Orange County. He was then transported by helicopter to New York, where the first images of his arrival emerged.
USA Accuses Maduro of Narco-Terrorism
Meanwhile, a US court formally charged the Venezuelan leader with multiple crimes, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and firearms-related crimes. The indictment, made public by US Attorney Pam Bondi, was submitted to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Maduro is accused of using his position of power in Venezuela for more than two decades to facilitate the transportation of massive quantities of cocaine to the United States. Prosecutors allege he protected drug traffickers using Venezuelan diplomatic passports, oversaw shipments of tons of cocaine by air and sea, and provided armed security for smuggling operations. The indictment also references kidnappings, bribery and acts of violence aimed at maintaining control over drug trafficking routes.
Maduro and his close allies allegedly cooperated with these groups to organize the suspected drug trafficking network.
Delcy Rodriguez Becomes Interim President of Venezuela
Following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s Supreme Court ruled on Saturday that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez would assume the role of acting president. The court said it would examine the situation to determine the necessary legal steps to ensure the continuity of the government during the president’s absence, maintain administrative stability and protect the country’s sovereignty.
