Toppled Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was escorted by federal agents through the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York City headquarters on Saturday evening, according to reports.
Maduro arrived in New York after U.S. Army Delta Force operators captured him in Venezuela during a coordinated military operation. Reports say the operation followed U.S. military strikes ordered by President Trump.
According to Reuters, Delta Force prepared extensively for the mission by constructing a full-scale replica of Maduro’s safe house to rehearse the capture. The report also states that the CIA had an asset embedded within Maduro’s inner circle, providing real-time intelligence on his movements. That intelligence reportedly enabled Delta Force to locate and extract him.
Maduro was seen speaking briefly to officials as he was led through the DEA headquarters in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Video from the scene showed him addressing those nearby as he was escorted by agents.
“Good night. Happy New Year,” Maduro said.
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York has indicted Maduro on four counts. The charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
The indictment also names Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, along with four other individuals.
“Nicolás Maduro Moros now sits atop a corrupt, illegitimate government that for decades has leveraged government power to protect and promote illegal activity, including drug trafficking,” the indictment states. It further alleges that the drug trade enriched and protected members of Venezuela’s political and military leadership.
President Trump said the United States will oversee Venezuela’s governance until a peaceful transfer of power is achieved.