President Donald Trump on Saturday shared an image showing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in US custody aboard a naval vessel, intensifying global attention on Washington’s dramatic action against the South American leader.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima,”alongside a photograph that appeared to show Maduro shortly after his capture by US forces.
In the image, the Venezuelan leader was seen wearing a blindfold and handcuffs, with what looked like noise-cancelling earmuffs, grey Nike-branded sweatpants and a matching jacket.
The image came as the Trump administration confirmed that Maduro and his wife would face serious criminal charges in the United States. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the pair would be prosecuted under existing drug trafficking and terrorism-related indictments.
In a post on X, Bondi said Maduro and his wife — who, according to US officials, were removed from Venezuela by American military forces — “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”
She noted that both are already facing charges in a New York federal court, including “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy” and related offences.
The announcement followed Trump’s earlier claim that US forces had captured Maduro after launching what he described as a major military operation against Venezuela. In another Truth Social post, the US president stated, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”
Trump added that the operation was conducted “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.”
He further announced plans to address the public, saying he would hold a news conference at 11:00 am (1600 GMT) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he has been spending the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
The developments mark an unprecedented escalation in US–Venezuela relations, with Washington signalling its intent to pursue long-standing criminal cases against Maduro through the American judicial system.
What you should know
The United States has confirmed the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following a US-led operation, with President Donald Trump publicly releasing an image showing him in custody aboard a US naval ship.
The Trump administration says Maduro and his wife will face drug trafficking and terrorism charges already filed in a New York federal court. Attorney General Pamela Bondi described the move as part of a process to bring them before American courts.
The announcement represents a major escalation in US actions against Venezuela’s leadership and has sparked global attention and concern.
