Nicolas Maduro brutally mocked online hours after US capture | World | News
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro sparked an online frenzy after landing in New York following his capture by US troops during a dramatic pre-dawn raid on his home in Caracas.
The embattled 63-year-old leader was arrested, extradited and flown more than 2000 miles to American soil since Saturday. But it wasn’t the serious allegations hanging over him that set tongues wagging; instead, it was her odd choice of words and questionable attire.
Maduro was seen arriving in New York with his wife a few hours after they were captured; images and footage quickly spread across social media. Users wasted no time in attacking the disgraced president, mocking both his appearance and strange behavior in the video.
In the now-viral clip, shared on X by the White House Rapid Response account, Maduro can be seen walking with the suspect at what is believed to be the DEA headquarters in Manhattan. The handcuffed leader, who appeared dazed, can be seen being escorted down a corridor before making a statement to US officials around him.
As he is led away he can be heard saying: “Good night. Happy New Year.” The bizarre situation sent social media into overdrive, with many questioning the comment itself and its disheveled tone. One user joked: “Poor guy has jet lag; he still thinks it’s Christmas!” Another referenced the carpet in the image: “They really rolled out the blue carpet.” A third joked: “For a second I thought you were wearing Mickey Mouse ears.” Another continued the Disney topic and asked: “Did they tell her she wouldn’t go to Disney?”
Others focused on Maduro’s many clothing changes during his journey from Venezuela to the United States. One person wrote: “Of course she changes her clothes a lot. Weird.” Another added: “Socks and slippers? Ugh.” A third asked: “How many clothes was Maduro allowed to bring?”
Maduro touched down at a US military base late Saturday under heavy security before being whisked away between a plane and two helicopters in New York. He was then taken to a detention center in Brooklyn, reportedly the same facility that once housed rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and disgraced crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried.
Viral footage of his first meeting with officers on American soil emerged as the former Venezuelan president prepares for his first court appearance in the United States in the coming days. Prosecutors are expected to unveil an explosive list of charges ranging from large-scale drug trafficking to illegal arms dealing.
Maduro will face charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices, according to documents posted online by U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi. His wife and four others face similar charges.
