Last Updated on February 16, 2026 by Ayoko Ahite

Days after Maduro refused Trump’s final offer to leave power and go into exile without facing criminal charges, he and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by the U.S. in a stunning military operation that took place in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2026.

This rare U.S. intervention shocked the world. The United Nations questioned its legitimacy under international law. Some countries, including China and Russia, quickly called out the United States for what they called a violation of the United Nations Charter, which upholds the “sovereign equality of states,” meaning that all members are viewed as equals and independent.

President Trump, however, disregarded his critics and extradited Maduro and Flores to New York City, where they would be facing the 4 felony charges. He even shared a photo of Maduro aboard USS Iwo Jima, sending a message to the world that he would go after any dictator who fails to bend the knee to the United States.

During a press conference, Trump left no room for guesswork. He made it clear that his goal was to take over the Venezuelan oil industry, which was nationalized by the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, a policy Maduro continued, leaving many American oil giants out of the highly coveted industry.

On Monday, January 5, 2026, Maduro and Flores appeared in a Manhattan court for the first time to face a judge. They were arraigned on one count of Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, one count of Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and one count of Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices.

During the procedure, Maduro did not hesitate to voice his thoughts. Both he and his wife told U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein that they were the rightful president and first lady of Venezuela and that they were “abducted” by the U.S. military. Maduro added that he is a “decent man” and considers himself a “prisoner of war” in the United States.

The couple is being held at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, as they prepare to fight their case in court.