NEW YORK, Jan. 5, 2026 — In an extraordinary global development, deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was today surrounded by heavy federal security as he was transported to a New York City court ahead of his arraignment on federal indictment charges. The dramatic scene unfolded in Lower Manhattan under intense law enforcement measures and international media scrutiny.
Unprecedented Security Deployment
Maduro, 63, was escorted under tight U.S. federal guard from a Brooklyn detention facility to the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan, where he is scheduled for an initial court appearance. Aerial footage showed him and his wife, Cilia Flores, both wearing tan prison attire and handcuffed, being moved via helicopter and then into an armored vehicle for the short trip to court.
Law enforcement officials deployed barricades, NYPD patrols, DEA agents, and federal marshals around the courthouse perimeter — an unusually fortified scene for a political figure of Maduro’s stature. Streets adjacent to the federal building were sealed off, with police maintaining a heavy presence to control crowds and ensure public safety.
Legal Charges and Court Appearance
Maduro is expected to enter a plea before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein at noon local time. Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York have charged him and Flores with multiple serious offenses, including:
- Narco-terrorism conspiracy
- Cocaine importation conspiracy
- Possession of machineguns and destructive devices
- Conspiracy to possess weaponry in furtherance of drug trafficking
These charges are part of a long-running indictment first filed in 2020, alleging Maduro led a government-backed network that trafficked cocaine into the United States in coordination with international criminal groups.
Global and Political Fallout
The security-intensive transport and courtroom appearance have sparked stark global reactions:
- UNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about regional stability and the legality of the U.S. operation that led to Maduro’s capture.
- Venezuela — Interim president Delcy Rodríguez has decried Maduro’s removal as illegal, demanding his immediate return while calling for diplomatic engagement.
- International capitals including Russia, China, and Colombia criticized the operation as a breach of sovereignty and international law.
Locally in New York, security remains heightened, with journalists, legal experts, and protest groups congregating near the courthouse as the high-profile case continues to unfold.