Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, ahead of their first appearance in a U.S. federal court. They are set to face charges of drug and arms trafficking in Manhattan on Monday, 5 January, local time.
The arrests follow a special operation in Venezuela during the early hours of Friday, 2 January, when authorities detained Maduro and Flores. After completing the necessary legal procedures, the couple was transferred to the detention centre in New York on Saturday night.
The United States has formally accused President Maduro and his wife of involvement in large-scale narcotics and illegal arms operations, allegations the couple has consistently denied. The upcoming court hearing will mark their first public appearance in U.S. jurisdiction. A court spokesperson confirmed that Maduro and Flores are scheduled to appear in Manhattan’s federal court at noon on Monday for the initial legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, in Venezuela, a constitutional arrangement has come into effect. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been appointed interim president following Maduro’s detention. Rodríguez, however, has received a stern warning from U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to The Atlantic magazine, Trump cautioned that if Rodríguez fails to act appropriately, the consequences could surpass those faced by Maduro himself. The warning comes in the context of Rodríguez’s opposition to U.S. intervention in Maduro’s arrest.
The developments mark a historic escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations, raising questions about the political and diplomatic consequences in Caracas and Washington. Observers note that the legal proceedings in New York could have far-reaching implications for Venezuelan governance and international law enforcement cooperation.
Summary of Key Developments
| Date | Event | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Jan 2026 | Arrest of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores | Venezuela | Early morning special operation; transferred to U.S. custody after legal procedures |
| 3 Jan 2026 | Transfer to New York detention centre | Brooklyn, USA | Held at Metropolitan Detention Center |
| 5 Jan 2026 | First U.S. court appearance | Manhattan Federal Court, New York | Face charges of drug and arms trafficking |
| 5 Jan 2026 | Interim leadership in Venezuela | Venezuela | Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumes interim presidency; warned by U.S. President |
This unprecedented sequence of events underscores both the legal and geopolitical dimensions of the Maduro case, highlighting tensions between U.S. judicial actions and Venezuelan domestic politics.