Maduro Arrives at Manhattan Court Following U.S. Capture; UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is set to make his first court appearance in New York today after U.S. forces captured him in a surprise military operation over the weekend. His wife, Cilia Flores—one of his key advisors—is also in U.S. custody.

The operation involved 150 American aircraft launched from 20 bases. A CIA team had been operating inside Venezuela since August, using drones and an informant within Maduro's inner circle to track his daily movements, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. The military used that intelligence to build a replica of Maduro's safe house for training purposes before the strike.

A senior White House official told NBC News that Maduro's "overt arrogance"—including his rejection of multiple surrender offers and regular public dancing—helped convince some within the administration that he would not leave voluntarily.

President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One Sunday night, made clear the U.S. intends to maintain control. "We're going to run it, fix it. We'll have elections at the right time," he said. Asked who's in charge, Trump responded: "It means we're in charge."

Trump also warned Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez—a Maduro loyalist who initially called the capture an "illegal kidnapping"—that she would "face a situation probably worse than Maduro" if she doesn't cooperate with U.S. demands. Rodriguez struck a more diplomatic tone Sunday night, saying: "Our people and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war."

UN to Convene Emergency Session

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today on the situation in Venezuela. The session was requested by Colombia and backed by Russia and China. The 15-member council has met twice previously—in October and December—over escalating U.S.-Venezuela tensions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Saturday he was "deeply alarmed by the recent escalation" and called the U.S. actions a "dangerous precedent." A spokesperson added that Guterres is "deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected."

Divided Reactions Across the U.S.

The military action sparked demonstrations on both sides over the weekend. Protesters gathered in cities from New Orleans to Oakland on Sunday in what organizers called an "Emergency Day of Action: No War on Venezuela, Stop the Bombings Now."

But celebrations also broke out in cities with large Venezuelan communities. In Atlanta, crowds chanted "Thank you USA" in support of the administration's actions. "I'm happy, I'm afraid but I'm very, very happy," one rally attendee said. "Somebody help us. We need the help."