SAEDNEWS: Under tight security, former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were transferred from a Brooklyn detention center to Manhattan federal court to face drug trafficking charges.
In a historic and highly publicized move, former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, facing major drug trafficking and terrorism-related charges, was transferred under heavy DEA and federal police security from a Brooklyn federal prison to Manhattan federal court. His wife, Cilia Flores, also facing similar charges, accompanied him. The transfer, carried out via helicopter and armored vehicles, was broadcast by networks including Fox News and ABC, showing Maduro in handcuffs surrounded by security.
Maduro, indicted by the U.S. Justice Department in 2020, was captured in a U.S. special forces night operation in Caracas on January 3, 2026, and brought to the U.S., first landing at Stewart Airport in Newburgh, New York, before being moved to the Brooklyn facility, previously home to high-profile inmates like Ghislaine Maxwell. Today’s initial hearing before Judge Alvin Hellerstein will address four main charges. Footage shows Maduro in gray attire, handcuffed, and possibly wearing sunglasses, moving cautiously—likely due to leg restraints.
The operation, framed by the Trump administration as part of its “doctrine” to combat drug trafficking, illegal migration, and secure Venezuelan oil, has drawn international criticism. Russia, China, and some Maduro allies denounce it as a violation of international law, with the U.N. Security Council set to review its legality. Meanwhile, Maduro loyalists retain control in Venezuela, though signs of possible cooperation are emerging.
