US Politics
Venezuela live updates: Maduro arrives in New York to face criminal charges as Trump says US will ‘run’ country for now
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Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have reportedly arrived in New York after U.S. forces seized them from their home in an extraordinary military operation.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have arrived at New York’s Stewart Air National Guard Base, a federal official told CNN.
Following Maduro’s capture, President Donald Trump said the U.S. will run Venezuela for now and earlier shared a photograph of Maduro in handcuffs en route to New York, where he has been indicted with several offenses, including Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy.
“We are going to run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump vowed at a press conference Saturday from his residence in Mar-a-Lago, where he also suggested that the U.S. would rely on revenue from oil sales to pay for running the country.
“We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” Trump added.
The president was pressed by reporters about who would be running Venezuela during the transition period and offered few details on who exactly would be in charge.
Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, revealed the mission, called “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was a months-in-the-making.
More than 150 aircraft, including several fighter jets, helicopters and bombers, launched from 20 different points after Trump gave the order Friday night, with service members from across the military branches.
With reporting from Rosali Hernandez in Caracas
Maduro to be held at same prison as Luigi Mangione
Ousted Venzuelan president Nicolas Maduro could make his first court appearance in New York as soon as Monday.
In the meantime will be held at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn, which currently holds Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing United Healthcare boss Brian Thompson.
The same facility that held music mogul Sean Diddy Combs during his high-profile trial earlier this year.
Mike Bedigan3 January 2026 23:47
Maduro and wife transferred to U.S. via Guantanamo Bay
Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife were transferred to the U.S. Saturday via the U.S. Navy base at Guantánamo Bay, according to sources familiar with the operation.
The sources told The New York Times, F.B.I. had a government aircraft waiting to fly to Stewart Air National Guard Base north of New York City.
Mike Bedigan3 January 2026 23:39
At least 40 killed in attacks on Venezuela, report
The New York Times reports that at least 40 people were killed in Saturday’s attack on Venezuela, citing an anonymous Venezuelan official.
The victims included both military personnel and civilians, according to the outlet.
Mike Bedigan3 January 2026 23:31
‘This is insane, what the hell are we doing?’
Rep. Seth Moulton, a Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said invading Venezuela “does not solve” the problems Americans are facing today.
Watch his reaction to Donald Trump’s press conference in this CNN clip:
Rhian Lubin3 January 2026 23:20
In pictures: Law enforcement await arrival of Maduro at New York City heliport
Nicolas Maduro has been pictured disembarking the plane at New York’s Stewart Air National Guard Base and is expected to arrive in New York City shortly.
He is likely to appear in Manhattan federal court as soon as Monday.
Law enforcement officers have been pictured awaiting the arrival of Madura and his wife at a heliport in the city.
Rhian Lubin3 January 2026 22:52
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu congratulates Trump for ‘historic leadership’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has congratulated Trump in a post on X.
Netanyahu praised Trump for his “bold and historic leadership.”
The Israeli leader attended Trump’s New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, where he said, “May our alliance grow even stronger.”
Rhian Lubin3 January 2026 22:40
When could Maduro appear in court?
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro could appear in court as soon as Monday.
A 25-page document from federal prosecutors in New York City claims Maduro, his wife and Venezuelan officials have “abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States.”
The four-count indictment, unsealed hours after Donald Trump announced the capture of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, claims the Venezuelan president and his family enriched themselves with a “cycle of narcotics-based corruption.”
Maduro and Flores are expected to make an initial appearance on the charges in Manhattan federal court as soon as Monday.
Rhian Lubin, Alex Woodward3 January 2026 22:21
Pictured: Defense Department aircraft reportedly carrying Maduro lands in New York
A Defense Department aircraft believed to be carrying captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife has landed at New York’s Stewart Air National Guard Base.
President Donald Trump earlier said that Maduro was being transported via a U.S. Navy vessel USS Iwo Jima.
Trump shared a photograph of Maduro aboard the ship in handcuffs.
Maduro and wife Cilia Flores were dragged from their bedroom during the operation that took place late Friday and into the early hours of Saturday, according to CNN.
Rhian Lubin3 January 2026 22:15
NEW: Maduro and his wife arrive in New York
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have reportedly arrived in New York after U.S. forces seized them from their home in an extraordinary military operation.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have arrived at New York’s Stewart Air National Guard Base, a federal official told CNN.
Rhian Lubin3 January 2026 21:57
In pictures: Maduro supporters in Caracas burn the American flag in protest
Supporters of captured president Nicolas Maduro in Caracas have been pictured burning the American flag in protest against the U.S. military action in the country.
Rhian Lubin3 January 2026 21:40