Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have arrived in New York after being captured in a US military operation, as global reactions intensify over Washington’s dramatic intervention in Venezuela. US President Donald Trump said the United States will temporarily “run” Venezuela until a political transition takes place.
According to reports, Maduro and Flores were transported under heavy security to New York and are expected to be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. A BBC report said a motorcade believed to be carrying Maduro left the DEA headquarters in Manhattan before helicopters flew down the Hudson River, passing the Statue of Liberty, en route to the detention facility.
Trump has defended the operation, calling it a necessary step and warning that further military action could follow if required. He has also said the US will remain “very much involved” in Venezuela during the transition period.
The operation has drawn sharp international criticism. Russia condemned the US strikes, urging Washington to release Maduro and his wife and warning against military interference in a sovereign nation. “The legitimately elected leaders must be guaranteed the right to determine their own destiny without external interference,” Russia’s foreign ministry said, calling for dialogue instead.
The United Nations also expressed deep concern. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the US military action could set a “dangerous precedent” and raised questions about respect for international law and the UN Charter. He called on all sides in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue and uphold human rights.
Venezuela’s foreign minister Yvan Gil said the US attack had disrupted peace in Latin America, accusing Washington of destabilising the region. Protests have erupted in parts of Venezuela and among Venezuelans abroad, while the UN Security Council is set to meet to discuss the crisis.
Reactions across the world have been mixed. China and Iran criticised the US action as hegemonic and aggressive, while Israel praised Trump’s leadership. Leaders in Latin America, including Brazil and Colombia, warned that the strikes crossed an unacceptable line and could have serious regional consequences.
As Maduro prepares to face charges in the United States, the situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with uncertainty over leadership, governance, and the country’s immediate future.