The United States on Saturday announced criminal charges against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, hours after US President Donald Trump claimed that the couple had been captured during a large-scale American operation.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and Flores had been indicted in the Southern District of New York on multiple counts, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machineguns and destructive devices.
In a post on X, Bondi said the couple would “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts”.
“Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States,” she said.
Bondi added that the indictment followed a long-running investigation into what US authorities allege was a drug trafficking network linked to senior figures in the Venezuelan leadership.
The announcement came shortly after President Trump said the US had carried out a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, during which Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country. Trump said the operation was conducted in coordination with US law enforcement agencies and that further details would be shared at a news conference.
The US President has repeatedly accused Maduro of leading a “narco-terrorist” regime, allegations that Venezuela has consistently denied.
Washington has previously imposed sanctions on Maduro and several Venezuelan officials, accusing them of involvement in drug trafficking and organised crime.
