Following the dramatic events of Operation Southern Spear, the first footage of Nicolás Maduro in U.S. custody has surfaced. The video, released by official White House channels, confirms the former Venezuelan leader is now in New York City facing federal prosecution.
The Viral Footage: "Happy New Year"
The video, shared by the White House's official rapid response account (@RapidResponse47) on X, captures a surreal moment in modern history.
The Scene: A handcuffed Nicolás Maduro is seen being escorted by three federal agents down a hallway within the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offices in Manhattan.
The Details: Maduro is dressed casually in a black hooded sweatshirt and a hat. As he walks over a carpet emblazoned with "DEA NYD" (New York Division), he appears surprisingly calm, looking toward those off-camera to say, "Goodnight" and "Happy New Year."
The "Perp Walk": The White House simply captioned the footage "Perp walked," signaling the administration's intent to treat the former head of state as a criminal defendant in the Southern District of New York.
Journey to Manhattan (Jan 3–4, 2026)
The footage is the culmination of a high-stakes transport operation that spanned thousands of miles in less than 24 hours.
| Time (EST) | Location | Milestone |
| 04:21 AM | Caracas, Venezuela | Capture confirmed via Truth Social following pre-dawn raids. |
| 05:00 PM | Newburgh, NY | Maduro and wife Cilia Flores land at Stewart Air National Guard Base. |
| 07:00 PM | Manhattan, NY | Helicopter transfer from Stewart to the Westside Heliport. |
| 08:52 PM | Brooklyn, NY | Arrival at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) for booking. |
What Happens Next?
Maduro and Cilia Flores are currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, the same facility that has housed high-profile inmates like "El Chapo" and Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Initial Appearance: Maduro is expected to be formally arraigned in Manhattan Federal Court as early as Monday, January 5, 2026.
The Charges: Attorney General Pam Bondi unsealed a superseding indictment including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and possession of "machine guns and destructive devices."
Defense: While Maduro has not yet spoken through a U.S. attorney, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has denounced the capture as an "illegal and illegitimate kidnapping."
Nicolas Maduro arriving to the DEA offices in New York:
— Pop Base (@PopBase) January 4, 2026
“Happy new year”
pic.twitter.com/POOgajtQvc
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