Midnight Raid Captures Maduro and Flores in Caracas Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were seized from their home in a midnight operation conducted by U.S. forces on 4 January 2026, then transported under heavy security to the United States, both wearing leg shackles and jail attire[1][2]. The operation, described as dramatic and bold, involved a rapid extraction that bypassed Venezuelan security forces and placed the couple in federal custody abroad[1][2]. Their capture triggered immediate diplomatic fallout, prompting Venezuela to label the act an unlawful abduction[1][2].

Maduro Appears in Manhattan Federal Court and Pleads Not Guilty On 5 January 2026, Maduro entered Manhattan’s federal courthouse, speaking through an interpreter, and formally entered a not‑guilty plea to the drug‑trafficking charges[1][2]. He asserted that he remains the constitutional president of Venezuela and demanded immunity as a head of state, challenging the legality of his detention[1][2]. The judge addressed procedural matters while the defense prepared to invoke sovereign‑immunity arguments, echoing precedents such as Manuel Nor­iega’s failed defense[1][2].

Indictment Accuses Maduro of Cartel Collaboration and Cocaine Trafficking A 25‑page federal indictment alleges that Maduro and senior officials collaborated with drug cartels to funnel thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States, exposing them to potential life‑sentence penalties[1][2]. The document also details alleged kidnappings, killings, and other criminal acts linked to the trafficking network[1][2]. Prosecutors argue the scheme generated billions in illicit revenue, intensifying the case’s geopolitical and law‑enforcement significance[1][2].

International Reactions Include UN Emergency Session and Interim Leadership The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the capture’s international‑law implications and humanitarian concerns in Venezuela[1][2]. Meanwhile, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president by her brother, signaling a rapid leadership transition in Caracas[1][2]. Both articles note that the immunity defense will be a central legal battle, with the Noriega precedent highlighted as a cautionary example[1][2].