US releases first picture of captured Maduro after landing in New York; seen handcuffed, to face charges
PTC News Desk: A new video has appeared showing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro being led by US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers inside the agency’s New York headquarters on Saturday.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were caught during a surprise early-morning operation by US special forces in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. Reports say the couple was asleep at their home inside the high-security Ft Tiuna military complex when the raid happened.
Perp walked.pic.twitter.com/34iIsFUDdG — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 4, 2026
The White House’s official rapid response account, Rapid Response 47, shared a video on X showing Maduro being walked through the DEA office in lower Manhattan. In the video, the 63-year-old leader is handcuffed, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and walking along a hallway marked “DEA NYD.” He can be heard saying “good night” and “Happy New Year” to people nearby.
Another video shows Maduro arriving in the United States. He was first taken to a US military base on Saturday evening and later moved to New York City.
Maduro and his wife have been charged with narco-terrorism, sending large amounts of cocaine into the US, and possessing illegal weapons.
From the DEA office, Maduro was taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, the same jail where rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs was held during his trial last year.
URGENTE: Primera fotos y videos del narcotirano Nicolás Maduro #NicolasMaduro preso en New York. Maduro llevado a la oficina de la DEA La mejor noticia del mundo. Gracias Trump ???????? "VIVA VENEZUELA LIBRE" ???????? pic.twitter.com/v8zWhPqLnH — Ape???? (@CubanOnlyTrump) January 4, 2026
How Nicolas Maduro Was Captured
The US carried out an operation called “Operation Absolute Resolve” to arrest Maduro. Elite US forces, including the Army’s Delta Force, took about 30 minutes to detain him.
Reports say Maduro tried to escape to a reinforced safe room but was pulled into custody.
The US said no American soldiers were killed during the operation.
- With inputs from agencies
