Newsroom, January 04, 2026: Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro arrived at Stewart International Airport near New York City aboard a US government plane, escorted by federal agents including DEA personnel.
Video and reports show him disembarking in custody, later transferred by helicopter to face arraignment in federal court on long-standing indictments for narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and related offenses.
The capture followed a rapid US strike in Caracas early January 3, described by officials as meticulously planned to minimize civilian harm.
President Donald Trump confirmed the action from Mar-a-Lago, stating the US would "run" Venezuela temporarily to ensure a stable transition and access its oil resources, while emphasizing action against drug networks.
Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed acting leadership but demanded Maduro's release on state media.
