Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro arrived Monday at a federal courthouse in Manhattan for his first court appearance since being captured by U.S. forces during a surprise operation in Venezuela over the weekend.

Maduro was transported by helicopter to lower Manhattan and escorted under heavy security to the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse, where he faces federal charges alongside his wife, Cilia Flores.

U.S. prosecutors accuse Maduro and Flores of narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and weapons-related offenses, charges that stem from a long-standing indictment filed in the Southern District of New York.

President Donald Trump declared that the United States is now “in charge” of Venezuela and warned the country’s interim leadership to cooperate or face a “very high price.” Trump also reiterated that Washington intends to capitalize on Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

Following Maduro’s ouster, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s vice president, was named acting leader. She called on the United States to engage in dialogue while firmly asserting Venezuela’s rights.

“Venezuela has the right to peace, development, sovereignty, and a future,” Rodríguez said, signaling both defiance and openness to cooperation.

Trump has simultaneously issued new threats toward Colombia, Mexico, and Greenland, while predicting the eventual collapse of the Cuban regime, underscoring a dramatic escalation in U.S. posture across the Western Hemisphere.

Background on the charges

The indictment against Maduro, originally filed under seal, alleges that he led a state-backed criminal enterprise responsible for flooding the United States with cocaine in coordination with armed groups and illicit financial networks. The case is considered one of the most significant foreign prosecutions ever brought by U.S. authorities.