Maduro was transferred to New York as part of an operation coordinated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). After initial processing in Manhattan, the couple was taken under heavy security to the Metropolitan Federal Detention Center in Brooklyn, where they are currently being held.
From Caracas to New York
According to U.S. sources, Maduro was taken from Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, in the early hours of Saturday aboard a U.S. military helicopter. He was first transported to an undisclosed location in the Caribbean and then transferred to the U.S. Navy vessel USS Iwo Jima. From there, Maduro was flown to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base before being taken to Stewart Air National Guard Base in upstate New York.
After landing, Maduro and his wife were flown by helicopter to Manhattan under intense security measures.
DEA Processing and Brooklyn Transfer
Upon arrival in Manhattan, the couple was taken to the DEA’s New York field office, where standard procedures including identity verification and fingerprinting were conducted. Authorities temporarily restricted access around the building as part of heightened security protocols.
Following the completion of initial procedures, Maduro and his wife were transferred to the Metropolitan Federal Detention Center in Brooklyn. Security forces escorted the couple through a secondary entrance, while armored vehicles, long-gun patrols, and police helicopters were deployed around the facility.
Court Appearance Expected Monday
U.S. media reported that Maduro is scheduled to appear before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Details regarding the charges and the scope of the indictment were later shared by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi via social media.
Authorities have not yet released the full indictment publicly, but officials confirmed that the case will be handled at the federal level.
Public Reaction and Heightened Security
Following reports of Maduro’s detention, a group gathered outside the Brooklyn facility, waving Venezuelan flags and chanting slogans celebrating what they described as the end of dictatorship in their country. Demonstrators remained in the area late into the night.
Security measures around the detention center were further reinforced, with frequent identity checks and expanded police presence in surrounding streets. Officials said the measures were intended to prevent unrest and ensure the safety of detainees and personnel.
First Images Released
Later, the White House’s official rapid response account shared a video described as showing Maduro under police escort inside a DEA facility in Manhattan. The footage shows Maduro walking along a corridor marked “DEA NYD,” wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
The video was captioned with the phrase “Suspect walked”, and includes a brief moment in which Maduro is heard saying, “Happy New Year.” The footage quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention and debate.
Political Developments in Venezuela
Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Supreme Court reportedly ordered the vice president to assume presidential duties on an interim basis. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the future of Venezuela would depend on decisions made by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying, “The conditions will be set by President Trump.”
The developments mark a dramatic escalation in the Venezuela crisis and have drawn international attention as the legal process in New York moves forward.
