In a significant development, clear footage has emerged showing Venezuela's deposed leader, Nicolás Maduro, under federal custody in the United States. The videos, obtained by TMZ, mark the first time Maduro has been seen clearly since his arrival in New York City, where he faces serious drug-trafficking charges.
Maduro's Arrival and Demeanour in Custody
According to reports, TMZ secured two video clips filmed shortly after Maduro landed in the US. The footage shows the former Venezuelan president appearing remarkably calm despite the grave allegations against him. In one clip, law-enforcement officials escort Maduro from a vehicle, and he briefly flashes a peace sign to the camera as he passes by.
Another video reveals a heavy security detail walking him across an airport tarmac and into an unmarked building. Earlier in the day, CNN reported seeing a person believed to be Maduro disembark from a plane, but that video was taken from a distance and details were unclear. TMZ further reported that after his initial landing, Maduro was transported by helicopter to a secondary location where the clearer videos were captured.
The White House Release and Trump's Announcement
The White House also released a clip of Maduro's perp walk, which shows two agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) leading him down a hallway. In a notable moment, Maduro is seen wishing onlookers a happy new year. His arrest followed a large-scale military action in Venezuela, as announced by President Donald Trump.
President Trump stated that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody. He declared that the United States would "run" Venezuela "until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." This move represents a major escalation in the US stance towards the Venezuelan government.
Current Location and Implications
Nicolás Maduro is reportedly being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. This facility has housed other high-profile inmates, including music mogul Diddy during his sex trafficking trial, and currently holds Luigi Mangione. His detention in the US sets the stage for a complex legal and diplomatic battle.
The emergence of clear footage confirms Maduro's physical presence in American custody and brings the serious charges against him into sharp focus. The situation continues to develop, with significant implications for US-Venezuela relations and the political future of the South American nation.
