Trump Says Maduro Taken To New York As Global Condemnation Mounts

United States President Donald Trump, on Saturday, said the deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been captured by US forces and were being taken to New York to face federal charges, triggering sharp condemnation and concern from governments across Europe, Latin America and beyond.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Fox News from West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said Maduro and Flores were extracted from Venezuela by helicopter and transferred to a US warship.

“They’re on a ship but they’ll be heading into New York. The helicopters took them out,” Trump said.

He added that Washington would play a decisive role in Venezuela’s future following Maduro’s capture.

“We’ll be involved in it very much. And we want to do liberty for the people,” he said, adding that the US would not allow anyone to “take over where he left off”.

Earlier, Trump announced that US special forces had captured Maduro following overnight air strikes on Caracas and other locations. The Venezuelan government described the action as “extremely serious military aggression” and demanded proof that Maduro is alive.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said she was unaware of the whereabouts of Maduro and Flores and called on Washington to provide “proof of life”.

US Vice President JD Vance accused Caracas of ignoring opportunities to de-escalate tensions.

“The president offered multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States,” Vance wrote on X.

International reaction was swift. The European Union urged restraint, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressing that “under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected.”

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the action as a “serious affront” to Venezuelan sovereignty, while Russia condemned what it called US “armed aggression” and demanded immediate clarification on Maduro’s fate.

The United Kingdom said it was not involved in the operation, while Colombia warned of potential regional instability.