Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan President, was apprehended by the Trump administration in a bold and swift overnight operation that has generated widespread shock. Photos of Maduro being escorted through the US have surfaced following the operation.
Maduro, aged 63, along with his wife Cilla Flores, age 69, were seized from Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, during “Operation Absolute Resolve” conducted by the Delta Force, an elite unit of the US military. The operation, which involved jets and troops, targeted military installations and the mausoleum of Hugo Chavez.
Footage captured by Venezuelans depicted intense flames and smoke rising from the area, contrasting with images released by the Trump administration showing Maduro in a tracksuit being processed in New York.
The Venezuelan leader had been charged with drug and terrorism offenses in a New York court in 2020, with an unsealed indictment detailing the four charges he faces while in US custody. Maduro, his wife, son, and three others were indicted for narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
Maduro has been taken to New York for processing on these charges, as shown in video footage shared by the White House, where he is seen being escorted by two agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration office.
Previous images shared on Truth Social by Trump depicted Maduro bound and blindfolded aboard the USS Iwo Jima assault ship. Other footage displayed agents posing casually with the former President, marking the end of a months-long planned operation.
The US operation targeted military installations and a port in Venezuela, resulting in dramatic scenes of smoke and fire. Venezuelan authorities have alleged that the strikes affected civilian populations. Post-attack images revealed severe damage to military infrastructure caused by missiles.
Initial images of Maduro showed him restrained and blindfolded, while subsequent pictures showcased him with his captors in a more relaxed setting. Maduro has been seen giving thumbs up and peace signs in photos since his arrival in the US.
Following his transportation to the US, Maduro was taken to a detention center in New York. Donald Trump shared images of himself during the operation at Mar-a-Lago.
