NEW YORK, Jan 4: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani disclosed that he spoke directly with President Donald Trump to express opposition to the US military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, calling the unilateral strike against a sovereign nation an “act of war.”
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores face indictment in the Southern District of New York and are being transported to the city for prosecution.
At a press conference addressing Venezuela’s situation and Maduro’s capture, Mamdani confirmed he “called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act.”
“I registered my opposition. I made it clear and we left it at that,” Mamdani stated, declining to disclose Trump’s response.
The unprecedented international development occurred merely two days after Mamdani’s mayoral inauguration.
Saturday morning, Mamdani received briefings from administration officials, including his chief of staff and police commissioner, regarding the US military operation and the couple’s planned detention in federal custody within New York City.
Mamdani emphasized that the “blatant pursuit of regime change” directly affects New Yorkers, particularly the city’s Venezuelan residents.
“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” the newly-inaugurated mayor stated.
“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,” Mamdani added.
US Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced via X that Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States.
“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” Bondi declared, thanking Trump for “having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.”
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a senior House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence member, acknowledged Maduro as an “illegitimate dictator” who has caused tremendous suffering for Venezuelans, but argued this reality doesn’t authorize presidential military action without congressional approval.
“By acting without congressional authorisation and publicly asserting US control over another sovereign nation, President Trump is abusing presidential power and undermining the Constitution’s separation of powers,” Krishnamoorthi stated.
He demanded the Trump Administration immediately address US personnel safety, disclose any casualties, and provide comprehensive congressional briefings.
“The president has now stated that the United States will run Venezuela, committing the country to open-ended responsibility. Neither the American people nor Congress approved that course. This use of force and claimed control erode the rule of law, embolden Moscow and Beijing to push boundaries elsewhere, weaken America’s credibility, and ultimately make Americans less safe,” Krishnamoorthi concluded.
