Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in U.S. federal court, according to an announcement made early Saturday by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The indictments were unsealed in the Southern District of New York just hours after President Donald Trump claimed that Maduro and Flores were captured and extracted from Caracas by U.S. armed forces during a dramatic overnight operation.
If confirmed, the events would mark one of the most extraordinary actions ever taken by the United States against a sitting foreign head of state, combining military force, law enforcement action, and criminal prosecution in a single operation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a Justice Department news conference in Washington
Sweeping Criminal Charges Announced
In a statement posted to social media, Bondi said Maduro faces multiple federal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons against the United States.
“Nicolás Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy and other serious crimes,” Bondi said, adding that both defendants would “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”
Bondi praised Trump for what she described as decisive leadership, thanking him for “having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American people,” and commended U.S. military forces for conducting what she called a “highly successful mission” to capture the accused.
The Justice Department has not yet released the full indictment documents, and it remains unclear whether the charges represent a new case or an expansion of earlier prosecutions.
Claims of Overnight Capture in Caracas
Bondi’s announcement followed Trump’s own statement earlier Saturday, in which he claimed that U.S. forces carried out a “large-scale strike” in Caracas and captured Maduro and Flores in the early hours of Jan. 3.
Trump said the operation was conducted in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement and promised additional details at a news conference scheduled for later in the day at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Videos circulating on social media showed explosions and flashes of light over parts of Caracas during the night, though no independent confirmation has been provided linking those images directly to the alleged capture.
Venezuelan officials have denied knowledge of Maduro’s whereabouts and demanded proof of life, further deepening the uncertainty surrounding the claims.
Reports of explosions and military activity emerge from Caracas overnight
Lawmakers Say Arrest Was Tied to Indictment
U.S. Senator Mike Lee said he was briefed on the operation by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told him the strike in Caracas was intended to protect law enforcement personnel executing an arrest warrant.
Lee said Rubio informed him that Maduro was “arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States,” framing the action as a law enforcement operation rather than an act of war.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau echoed that message in a social media post, declaring: “The tyrant is gone. He will now—finally—face justice for his crimes.”
The State Department has not released a formal statement elaborating on the scope or legal basis of the alleged arrest.
Roots of the Case Stretch Back Years
Maduro’s legal troubles in the United States are not new. In 2020, U.S. prosecutors charged him and more than a dozen other Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking in cases filed in New York, Miami, and Washington, D.C.
At the time, then–U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman alleged that Maduro and his allies had turned Venezuela into a hub for cocaine trafficking, using the country’s institutions to protect criminal operations.
“As alleged, Maduro deliberately deployed cocaine as a weapon,” Berman said in the 2020 announcement, accusing the Venezuelan leader of intending to flood the United States with drugs to undermine public health and national security.
It remains unclear whether the newly announced indictment is a continuation of those earlier cases or a separate legal action stemming from new evidence.
Venezuela Condemns ‘Aggression’
The Venezuelan government has forcefully rejected the U.S. claims, denouncing what it described as an act of “extremely serious military aggression” and accusing Washington of violating international law.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government had no confirmation of Maduro’s capture and demanded immediate proof of life for both him and Flores.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López called for national resistance, saying all armed forces were being deployed under standing orders and warning that Venezuela would not be subdued.
“They’ve attacked us, but they will not subdue us,” he said in a televised address.
Venezuelan officials respond angrily as uncertainty grows over Maduro’s status
Extraordinary Legal and Political Implications
If Maduro and Flores are indeed in U.S. custody, the case would raise unprecedented legal and diplomatic questions. The capture of a sitting foreign president by U.S. forces would represent a historic escalation, blurring the lines between military action, law enforcement, and foreign policy.
Legal experts note that extradition typically involves formal requests and cooperation between governments, not unilateral military action. The lack of publicly released warrants, court filings, or transport details has fueled skepticism and concern among international observers.
At the same time, Trump has long argued that Maduro is not a legitimate head of state, describing him instead as the leader of a criminal enterprise masquerading as a government.
Trump Frames Action as Justice, Not War
Supporters of the president say the indictment validates Trump’s hardline approach and proves his administration is willing to pursue accountability where others would not.
Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro of narcotics trafficking, election fraud, and human rights abuses, portraying Venezuela as a failed state whose leadership poses a direct threat to U.S. security.
Critics, however, warn that even if the charges are valid, the method of enforcement could destabilize the region and set a dangerous precedent for international relations.
World Awaits Verification
As of publication, no independent evidence has been released confirming Maduro and Flores are in U.S. custody, and no court appearance has been scheduled publicly. The Department of Justice has not clarified whether Bondi’s announcement refers to the 2020 indictment or a newly filed case.
The lack of documentation has left allies, adversaries, and international institutions watching closely for confirmation.
If verified, the indictment and capture would represent one of the most dramatic confrontations between the United States and a foreign government in modern history — a moment that could reshape relations across Latin America and beyond.
For now, the world is left with extraordinary claims, fierce denials, and a legal case that could redefine the limits of American power on the global stage.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
