US Attorney General: Maduro to face trial on American soil

WISE NEWS PRESS / WASHINGTON, USA — JANUARY 03, 2026

US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Saturday that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted on international drug trafficking charges and will soon stand trial in a United States federal court.

Following a decisive military operation that led to their capture, Bondi confirmed that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has finalized the charges. She expressed gratitude to the U.S. military and President Donald Trump for the apprehension of the pair, whom she described as "international narco-traffickers." Bondi stated that Maduro would soon face the "full severity of American justice" on U.S. soil, marking a major escalation in Washington's efforts to dismantle the Caracas leadership.

Allegations of narco-terrorism and the "Cartel de Los Soles"

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the announcement, declaring that Maduro is no longer recognized as the president of Venezuela and his administration lacks any legal standing. Rubio characterized Maduro not as a political leader, but as the head of a terrorist organization known as the "Cartel de Los Soles" (Suns Cartel). The Trump administration recently added this group to the official list of foreign terrorist organizations, previously offering a 50 million USD reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.

Domestic and international reactions

The operation, which involved targeted airstrikes on strategic locations such as the Port of La Guaira, has drawn mixed reactions within the U.S. Congress. While many supported the move, some lawmakers—including members of the Republican Party—raised concerns about conducting a large-scale military operation in a sovereign nation without explicit legislative approval. Meanwhile, in Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has declared herself the acting head of state, citing constitutional protocols following Maduro's forced removal.

Global diplomatic unease

International response has been swift, with European allies expressing caution. A source from the German Foreign Ministry stated they are monitoring the situation with "great concern" and remain in contact with their embassy in Caracas. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer clarified that the United Kingdom was not involved in the operation and emphasized the necessity for all nations to adhere to international law. As smoke rose from targeted Venezuelan infrastructure, the global community remains braced for the legal and geopolitical fallout of this unprecedented detention.

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