Overview
- The Justice Department charged Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in the Southern District of New York with narcoterrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and firearms offenses, according to U.S. officials including Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
- President Donald Trump posted a photo portraying Maduro in U.S. custody, showing him in a gray athletic outfit with covered eyes and holding a water bottle, with the image circulating without independent confirmation.
- Venezuelan authorities have not acknowledged any detention, while U.S. statements describe a capture conducted outside Venezuela and say federal court proceedings will follow.
- Governments across Latin America, including Mexico, urged verification of the claims and rejected unilateral military intervention under international law.
- Major outlets featured the photo and headlines about a capture, though some, such as The New York Times, declined to run the image; Trump also said the United States would “run” Venezuela and signaled readiness for further strikes.