New York Mayor Mamdani slams US 'capture' of Venezuelan President Maduro

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday called the US military operation in Venezuela, which included the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, “an act of war” and a “blatant pursuit of regime change.”

“I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City,” Mamdani said on the US social media company X.

“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” he added.

The mayor stressed that such “blatant pursuit of regime change” does not only affect those abroad, saying its impact extends beyond Venezuela and could directly impact tens of thousands of Venezuelans living in New York.

“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 added.

His remarks came after the US carried out a "large-scale strike" on Venezuela, with President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores also "captured and flown out" of the country, later en route to New York City, where they will face federal charges, according to President Donald Trump.