U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on January 3, 2026, that deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, will soon face criminal charges in American courts following their reported capture during a U.S. military operation earlier that day. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bondi stated that the couple would "soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts." The announcement came hours after President Donald Trump claimed responsibility for the "large-scale strikes" in Caracas that resulted in Maduro's detention and transfer out of Venezuela. The U.S. has long accused Maduro of leading the Cartel de los Soles, a narco-trafficking organization allegedly responsible for shipping massive quantities of cocaine into the United States.

According to Bondi’s statement, Maduro faces federal charges in New York, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States. These indictments build on a 2020 U.S. Department of Justice case that originally charged Maduro and several top officials with narco-terrorism and related offenses, carrying potential life sentences. Flores is expected to face similar or related charges tied to the alleged criminal enterprise. The U.S. has maintained a $25 million bounty on Maduro since 2020 (with additional rewards offered in recent months), framing his government as a direct threat to American national security through drug trafficking and support for designated terrorist groups.

The development marks a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations, following months of intensified pressure, including naval interdictions, sanctions on oil exports, and the designation of related entities as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Trump has positioned the capture as a major victory in the fight against narco-trafficking and a step toward restoring democracy in Venezuela. However, the operation has drawn sharp international criticism, with Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran condemning it as an unlawful act of aggression and violation of sovereignty. Venezuela's interim leadership, under Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, has demanded immediate proof of life for Maduro and Flores while accusing the U.S. of orchestrating a coup.

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As legal proceedings are prepared, questions remain about the couple's current location—reportedly en route to or already in U.S. custody—and the broader implications for Venezuela's political future. The U.S. Department of Justice has not released further details on the timeline or venue for arraignment, but Bondi’s statement signals a swift move toward prosecution. The announcement has intensified global scrutiny of the U.S. intervention, with analysts warning of potential instability in the region even as supporters of the Venezuelan opposition celebrate the removal of Maduro after more than a decade in power. Here are images related to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and her announcement regarding the charges against Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores:

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