Donald Trump says US to “Run” Venezuela until “Safe transition can take place”
Following his arrest in Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro was flown out of Caracas aboard a US military helicopter and transported to the USS Iwo Jima, a US Navy amphibious assault ship stationed in the region.
A photograph showing Maduro onboard the vessel was later shared by former US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, drawing global attention to the unprecedented operation.
From the USS Iwo Jima, Maduro was transferred via Cuba before being flown to New York, marking a highly unusual international transfer involving multiple jurisdictions and military assets.
Upon arrival in New York, Maduro was taken to the offices of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Manhattan. Video footage released by US authorities shows him arriving in the country and being escorted through the DEA facility under heavy security.
He has since been moved from the DEA offices to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where high-profile federal detainees are typically held.
US authorities say the Venezuelan president is expected to appear in court on charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offences, with an initial court appearance anticipated as early as Monday.
Maduro has consistently denied the allegations, rejecting claims that he is the leader of a drug cartel and describing the accusations as politically motivated.
