skip to contentAdvertisementMamdani said that the regime change would have an impact on New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans in the city.By: Express Web Desk January 4, 2026 12:56 AM IST First published on: Jan 4, 2026 at 12:56 AM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookMayor Zohran Mamdani reacts during his inauguration ceremony. (Photo: AP)Newly appointed Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, has criticised the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by the US Military. Mamdani, who took the oath as the Mayor of New York City just two days ago, called it ‘an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.’Maduro, who was captured by the US Military’s Delta Force in a night-time operation on Saturday, is being brought to New York, where he will face federal charges over drug trafficking.New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrives at City Hall in New York, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)“I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City,” Mamdani said in a post on X.“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” he added.Mamdani also said that the regime change would have an impact on New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans in the city.Story continues below this ad“This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance,” he said.I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City.Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and…— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 3, 2026US captures Nicolas MaduroEarlier, US President Trump said Maduro and his wife are aboard a US warship and will face prosecution in New York.US authorities accused Maduro of leading a “corrupt, illegitimate government that, for decades, has leveraged government power to protect and promote illegal activity, including drug trafficking.”FILE – Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, then Constituent National Assembly President Delcy Rodriguez, left, and first lady Cilia Flores, wave as they arrive to the National Assembly, in Caracas, Venezuela, May 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)The indictment alleges that the drug trafficking “enriched and entrenched Venezuela’s political and military elite”.US pressure campaign on MaduroThe Trump administration had been building pressure on the Maduro government for the past few months, with the military deployment and attacks on alleged drug-trafficking boats.Story continues below this adHow US executed capture of MaduroAccording to Reuters, the planning for the operation to capture Maduro had been in the works for months and included detailed rehearsals.Elite US troops, including the Army’s Delta Force, created an exact replica of Maduro’s safe house and practiced how they would enter the strongly fortified residence, Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter, reported.The CIA had a small team on the ground starting in August, who were able to provide insight into Maduro’s pattern of life that made grabbing him seamless.People celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, in Doral, Fla ., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)According to one of the sources, Trump senior aide Stephen Miller, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe formed a core team working on the issue for months with regular – sometimes daily – meetings and phone calls. They often also met with the president.Story continues below this adIt also had an asset close to Maduro who would monitor his movements and was poised to pinpoint his exact location as the operation unfolded.With the pieces in place, Trump approved the operation four days ago, but military and intelligence planners suggested he wait for better weather and less cloud cover.At 10:46 pm EST on Friday, Trump gave the final go-ahead for what would be known as Operation Absolute Resolve, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine told reporters.Trump, surrounded by his advisers at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, watched a live stream of the events.Story continues below this ad“I’ve done some pretty good ones, but I’ve never seen anything like this,” Trump said on Fox News just hours after the mission was completed.AdvertisementAdvertisementLoading Taboola...