Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, 63, and wife Cilia Flores, 69, appear in Manhattan federal court Monday at noon (17:00 GMT) following their Saturday abduction by US special forces from Caracas’ presidential palace. The dramatic operation involved breaching reinforced structures, thwarting Maduro’s escape attempt, and airlifting them via helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima before New York transfer. They now face a four-count indictment unsealed Saturday in the Southern District of New York before Judge Alvin Hellerstein, appointed in 1998 by Bill Clinton.
Detailed indictment charges
The sweeping 25-year probe accuses Maduro of leading a narco-terrorism conspiracy, importing thousands of tons of cocaine into the US using state authority for personal gain.
Counts include:
- Narcoterrorism conspiracy: Providing financial value to US-designated terrorists like FARC dissidents, Segunda Marquetalia, ELN, Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas/Cartel del Noreste, Tren de Aragua.
- Cocaine importation conspiracy: Manufacturing, distributing, importing cocaine.
- Possession of machineguns/destructive devices in drug trafficking.
- Conspiracy for those weapons.
Flores allegedly accepted bribes, including $100,000s in 2007 for facilitating drug trafficker meetings. The pair must forfeit crime proceeds; conviction risks 30 years to life. Evidence notes Venezuela’s minor cocaine transit role versus dominant Colombia-Peru-Ecuador routes.
Key defendants’ backgrounds
- Maduro: President since 2013 after Hugo Chavez; 2024 re-election rejected as fraudulent by US, Carter Center, nine Latin states.
- Flores: “First combatant,” Chavismo pioneer who defended Chavez post-1992 coup, first female National Assembly president; joined cocaine plot per indictment.
- Others: Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello; ex-Interior Minister Ramon Rodriguez Chacin; son Nicolas Maduro Guerra; Tren de Aragua leader Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores.
Prosecutors cite kidnappings, beatings, murders of debtors, including a Caracas drug boss killing.
Abduction and legality disputes
Trump administration, after November 2025 terrorist designation, deployed warships, struck drug boats (100+ killed), expanded sanctions. Maduro mobilized forces, accused “empire” threats. Experts like Ilias Bantekas deem abduction illegal absent armed conflict, violating UN Charter Article 2(4); Russia, China agree. UN Security Council meets Monday.
Maduro can challenge arrest legality, court jurisdiction, head-of-state immunity.
Photos show shackled Maduro in beige jumpsuit escorted by DEA agents post-helicopter landing.
High oil Stakes and reactions
Venezuela’s 303 billion-barrel Orinoco Belt reserves, world’s largest, yield fractionally due to sanctions, mismanagement. Trump claims oil theft funds crime; vows US “runs” Venezuela until transition, threatens strikes on interim leader Delcy Rodriguez unless cooperative.
Rubio denies day-to-day governance but sets anti-narcotrafficking conditions; Rodriguez seeks dialogue, respect.
Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay decry “dangerous precedent.” Trump cites rehearsed raid with residence replica, prior surrender offers.
Source: BBC
Also read: Maduro captured, Trump claims control as Rodríguez steps in
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