Venezuela live updates as Maduro to appear in U.S. court, Trump threatens other nations

Venezuela Crisis: Ousted Leader Nicolás Maduro Set for U.S. Court Appearance Amid Trump's Warnings to Region

New York/Caracas, January 5, 2026 — Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are scheduled to appear in a Manhattan federal court today on long-standing drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, following their dramatic capture by U.S. forces in a weekend military operation that has ignited global controversy.

Maduro, 63, and Flores were transferred early this morning from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to the federal courthouse, where they are expected to face arraignment before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein at noon. The charges stem from a 2020 indictment, updated in recent years, accusing the couple of leading a conspiracy to flood the United States with cocaine, alongside weapons offenses.

The court appearance caps a whirlwind 48 hours that began with U.S. airstrikes on Caracas early Saturday, dismantling Venezuelan air defenses and enabling special forces to seize Maduro and his wife from their residence. President Donald Trump hailed the operation as a success, stating the U.S. is now effectively "in charge" of Venezuela and plans to "run" the country until a "safe and proper transition."

In remarks aboard Air Force One and in interviews, Trump issued stark warnings to Venezuela's acting leader, Delcy Rodríguez — appointed by the country's Supreme Court after Maduro's removal — saying she would "pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro" if she fails to cooperate with U.S. demands, including opening Venezuela's vast oil industry.

Rodríguez initially condemned the U.S. action as a "kidnapping" and "colonial oil grab," but softened her tone Sunday, inviting Washington to pursue "peace and dialogue" and an "agenda of cooperation."

Trump's threats extended beyond Venezuela. He suggested potential military action against Colombia, saying "Operation Colombia sounds good to me," criticized Mexico on drug flows, and claimed Cuba's government "looks like it's ready to fall." The comments have heightened tensions across Latin America, with Colombia mobilizing border troops and regional leaders denouncing the strikes as violations of sovereignty.

The United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency session to examine the legality of the U.S. operation, amid condemnations from China, Russia, and Iran, while some U.S. allies and Venezuelan opposition figures have praised the removal of Maduro, long accused of authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement.

As Maduro prepares for his day in court — described by Trump as an "infallible" case — uncertainty looms over Venezuela's future, with streets in Caracas reported quiet but anxious, and pro-Maduro militias vowing resistance.

Developments are ongoing, with the White House indicating U.S. oil companies may soon move in to revive infrastructure. The outcome of today's hearing could set the stage for a protracted legal battle challenging head-of-state immunity and international norms.

17GEN4.com