The President of the United States, Donald Trump, publicly confirmed first the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as part of an operation executed by American forces. Hours later, the information was officially ratified by Attorney General Pam Bondi, solidifying the event as a confirmed legal action of the U.S. government.
Trump announced that both will be prosecuted within U.S. territory, following years of federal investigations that identify them as alleged leaders of a transnational narcoterrorism structure. The presidential confirmation was then backed by the Department of Justice, clearing up any doubts regarding the truth and legal scope of the procedure.
The Charges: Narcoterrorism, Cocaine, and Weapons of War
According to the formal accusation filed in the Southern District of New York, Nicolás Maduro faces charges for:
- Conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism
- Conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States
- Possession of machine guns and explosives
- Conspiracy for possession of these weapons against the U.S.
Cilia Flores is listed as a co-defendant for her alleged role in the criminal structure, which—according to the prosecution—was used to facilitate routes, political protection, and institutional cover-up.
Bondi: From Political Announcement to Judicial Execution
In her official statement, Pam Bondi explicitly thanked Trump for ordering and upholding the policy of accountability, as well as the armed forces and federal agencies that carried out the operation. She emphasized that the accused will appear in U.S. federal courts, where they will face the full force of the law, with penalties that could include life sentences.
What’s Next
With the capture confirmed by both the president and the Attorney General, the process moves into an active judicial phase:
- Initial appearance before a federal judge in New York
- Formal reading of charges and custody determination
- Evidence phase and defense motions
- Federal trial or plea agreements, depending on legal strategy
The arrest of a sitting head of state on narcoterrorism charges marks a historic turning point. The case redefines the state-sponsored drug trafficking fight, sends a direct message to Chavismo’s allied networks, and reshapes the political balance in Latin America.
Trump first announced what the judicial system then formally confirmed: Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores are under U.S. custody and will face federal charges for crimes that Washington classifies as direct threats to national security. This case opens a new chapter in the U.S. legal offensive against state-supported transnational narcoterrorism.