The first visuals of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have been released by the United States. The video shows the Latin American leader walking down a hallway inside the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headquarters in New York City. He is seen in handcuffs and surrounded by armed soldiers.
The footage was made public after Maduro and his wife were taken to New York following US air raids and a dramatic capture on Saturday.
Initial photographic and video evidence of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has been disseminated subsequent to his apprehension.
— Zoom Afrika (@zoomafrika1) January 4, 2026
One photograph depicts Mr. Maduro signaling with a double thumbs-up gesture.
Thoughts ?? pic.twitter.com/miU7QI1EPm
Maduro Flown to New York After Military Operation
According to the Associated Press, Maduro and his wife were captured during an extraordinary US military operation and then flown out of Venezuela to New York. The two are expected to be held in federal custody.
They are likely to face criminal charges linked to a Justice Department indictment. The indictment accuses them of involvement in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.
Trump Says US Will Temporarily Run Venezuela
After the capture, US President Donald Trump said that the United States would take temporary control of Venezuela. He also said the US would use the country’s vast oil reserves and sell “large amounts” to other nations.
“We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition," Trump said during a press conference.
Operation ‘Absolute Resolve’ Planned for Months
US officials said the operation, named “Absolute Resolve,” had been planned and rehearsed for several months. Once it began, the mission was completed in less than 30 minutes.
Officials added that the operation brought an end to Nicolás Maduro’s rule within hours of its launch.
Venezuela Court Names Acting President
Hours after Maduro’s capture in the overnight US military operation, Venezuela’s Supreme Court stepped in. The Constitutional Chamber ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to take over as acting president.
The court said Rodriguez would assume “the office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the Nation.”
Court to Decide Legal Path Forward
The ruling also said the court would further discuss the situation. It aims to “determine the applicable legal framework to guarantee the continuity of the State, the administration of government, and the defense of sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of the President of the Republic.”