Where Is Nicolás Maduro Now? Venezuela’s President and His Wife on Board the USS Iwo Jima
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| Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima |
In a series of remarks to U.S. media, President Donald Trump said Maduro and Flores were captured by U.S. forces and are currently being held aboard the USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship operating in the Caribbean. Trump said the couple would be transferred to New York to face criminal charges in U.S. federal court.
“They’re on a ship, but they’ll be heading into New York,” Trump told Fox News, adding that helicopters were used to extract them. He accused Maduro of overseeing widespread violence to retain power, repeating long-standing U.S. allegations against the Venezuelan leader.
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Custody at Sea and What It Signals
Detaining high-value suspects at sea is a method the United States has used in past counterterrorism and national security cases. Holding detainees aboard a naval vessel allows authorities to maintain tight security, control access, and manage sensitive legal and diplomatic issues before any transfer to U.S. soil.
U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed Trump’s account, and neither the Pentagon nor the Department of Justice has released photographs, court filings, or transport records. As a result, Maduro’s precise legal status — whether he is formally in U.S. custody or under temporary military detention — remains unclear.
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| Trump says Maduro and wife aboard USS Iwo Jima heading for New York |
What Charges Could Maduro and Flores Face?
Maduro has been indicted in U.S. federal court since 2020 on charges including narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. Prosecutors have accused him of protecting and directing criminal networks that allegedly moved narcotics through Venezuela.
Cilia Flores, a former lawmaker and influential political figure, has not been publicly indicted in the United States, but U.S. officials have previously accused her of playing a role in maintaining Maduro’s grip on power. Legal experts say any charges against her would likely emerge only after Maduro’s case is clarified.
If transferred to New York, Maduro would likely be arraigned in federal court, a step that would mark an unprecedented moment: the criminal prosecution of a sitting or recently removed foreign head of state in U.S. custody.
Read more: Russia and China Warn U.S. as Global Reaction Grows Over Venezuela Crisis
Venezuela’s Response and Demands for Proof
Venezuelan officials have not acknowledged that Maduro or Flores are detained. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded proof of life and clarity on their whereabouts, while Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced nationwide military deployments and a state of emergency, insisting that the government continues to operate under Maduro’s authority.
State media has continued broadcasting messages attributed to Maduro, though their timing and authenticity have not been independently verified.
International Pressure Mounts
The claims about Maduro’s detention have drawn sharp international reactions. Russia and China have condemned U.S. actions as violations of sovereignty and called for dialogue. Several Latin American governments have urged restraint and verification, while Venezuela has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
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| Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures next to First Lady Cilia Flores |
What Remains Uncertain
Despite Trump’s detailed assertions, major questions remain unanswered:
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Are Maduro and Flores formally in U.S. legal custody?
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When would any court proceedings begin?
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Will U.S. authorities release evidence confirming their detention?
Until independent confirmation emerges, analysts caution against drawing firm conclusions.
Read more: What Is Delta Force? Inside the Elite U.S. Unit Behind the Capture of Nicolás Maduro
The Bottom Line
According to President Trump, Nicolás Maduro and his wife are being held aboard a U.S. Navy ship and are expected to face charges in New York. Venezuelan officials deny confirming this account, and U.S. agencies have yet to provide documentary proof.
For now, the fate of Venezuela’s long-time leader — and the legal and geopolitical consequences that may follow — remains unresolved, with the world waiting for confirmation that could redefine Venezuela’s political future and U.S.–Latin America relations.
