Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been brought to the United States following a special American military operation, according to reports from US media. The couple was transported on a US military aircraft to Stewart International Airport, located north of New York City, the Washington Post reported.
Shortly after their arrival, the US Department of Justice made public fresh criminal charges against both Maduro and Flores. US prosecutors allege that the Venezuelan president and his wife were involved in a criminal conspiracy aimed at increasing the supply of cocaine into the United States.
The Justice Department further claims the operation allowed them to accumulate large amounts of wealth through illegal activities linked to international drug trafficking networks. The transfer follows remarks made earlier by US President Donald Trump, who said the United States would temporarily take control of Venezuela after the military operation.
Speaking at a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said Washington would manage the country in an “orderly and professional manner,” adding that major global oil companies would be encouraged to invest billions of dollars in Venezuela’s energy sector.
Trump also did not rule out the direct deployment of US ground forces, saying the United States would not hesitate to send troops if required. According to the US military, more than 150 aircraft with strike and intelligence-gathering capabilities were used during the operation.
The developments have triggered widespread international attention, raising serious questions about sovereignty, international law, and the future political direction of Venezuela as global actors closely watch the next steps by the United States.
