USA Bondi: Maduro indicted in New York - "drug terrorism"
Venezuela's head of state Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been indicted in New York, according to US Attorney General Pam Bondi. They are accused of crimes related to drug trafficking, as Bondi announced on the X platform.
03.01.2026, 14:06
SDA
Specifically, Maduro is accused of "conspiracy to commit drug terrorism" and "conspiracy to import cocaine", among other things. He is also accused of possessing machine guns and explosives. "They will soon have to face the full force of American justice in American courts on American soil," Bondi continued. She described Maduro and his wife as "suspected international drug traffickers".
Early on Saturday morning, US President Donald Trump confirmed a large-scale attack on Venezuela on his online mouthpiece Truth Social. US elite units had arrested Maduro and his wife and taken them out of the country. He announced a press conference with further details for 11.00 a.m. local time (5.00 p.m. CET).
Venezuela speaks of dead soldiers and civilians
According to information from Caracas, both soldiers and civilians were killed in the US attack. "We condemn this attack on our people, which has cost the lives of officials, soldiers, innocent people and civilians," said Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez on state television.
According to the government in Caracas, however, the USA only partially achieved its goal in the attack. "The country is very calm. What they wanted to achieve with their bombs and missiles was only partially successful," said Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, wearing a military helmet and tactical vest and surrounded by armed men on state television. "They expected the people to cowardly flee. That didn't happen. The time for cowards is over."
Venezuela's authoritarian head of state Maduro has long accused the USA of trying to force a change of power in Caracas. Following his re-election in 2024, which was overshadowed by allegations of fraud, the government in Washington no longer recognized the left-wing politician as the legitimate head of state.
