The United States has formally confirmed the federal indictment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, marking a major legal escalation in Washington’s long-running case against the South American leader.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on multiple criminal counts, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and large-scale cocaine trafficking.
In a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bondi said the indictment represents the culmination of years of investigation into allegations that Maduro used the machinery of the Venezuelan state to facilitate international drug trafficking.
“Nicolás Maduro and his associates are charged with conspiring to flood the United States with cocaine and using violence, weapons and corruption to protect their criminal enterprise,” Bondi said.
The confirmation of the indictment follows earlier reports surrounding Maduro’s reported capture, but U.S. officials stressed that the legal process is now the central focus, with prosecutors preparing to move forward in federal court.
I hope people now understand. The President of the United States is not a game player. When he tells you he’s going to do something and address a problem, he means it.
According to U.S. court filings, the indictment accuses Maduro of leading and directing a narcotics trafficking organization that worked with foreign armed groups and criminal networks to transport cocaine through Central America and the Caribbean, with the United States identified as a primary destination.
Prosecutors allege that the network—often referred to in U.S. legal documents as the Cartel of the Suns—operated with the protection of Venezuelan political and military officials.
The charges include:
- Narco-terrorism conspiracy
- Conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States
- Drug trafficking conspiracy
- Weapons-related offences connected to organised crime
If convicted, Maduro could face life imprisonment under U.S. federal law.
Operation Absolute Resolve.
Flores, who has previously been sanctioned by the United States, is accused of participating in and benefiting from the alleged criminal conspiracy.
Prosecutors claim the couple abused their positions of power to shield traffickers from prosecution and frustrate international law-enforcement efforts.
“This indictment makes clear that no one is above the law,” Bondi said. “The defendants will face American justice.”
While the confirmation is new, the case itself dates back several years.
U.S. authorities first unveiled criminal charges against Maduro in 2020, accusing him of transforming Venezuela into a hub for narcotics trafficking during a period of severe political and economic instability.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.
The Venezuelan government has strongly rejected the indictment, calling it illegal, politically motivated and a violation of national sovereignty.
Officials aligned with Maduro insist the charges are fabricated and accuse Washington of weaponising the justice system.
In previous statements, Maduro has denied all allegations, describing himself as the victim of what he calls an international campaign to destabilise Venezuela.
His allies argue that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction over a Venezuelan head of state.
U.S. prosecutors counter that American jurisdiction applies because the alleged crimes involved narcotics destined for the United States and criminal conspiracies that crossed multiple international borders.
Some U.S. allies and regional governments have cautiously welcomed the legal development, framing it as a step toward accountability for alleged corruption and criminal activity within Venezuela’s leadership.
Human rights advocates say the indictment reinforces long-standing allegations that organised crime has flourished under Maduro’s rule.
Others, including Venezuela’s allies such as Russia and Iran, condemned the move, warning it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines diplomatic norms.
Several governments have urged restraint and called for disputes to be resolved through international dialogue rather than unilateral legal action
In Latin America, analysts say the indictment deepens uncertainty around Venezuela’s political future and raises concerns about regional stability.
With the indictment now confirmed, attention turns to judicial proceedings in New York, where federal prosecutors are expected to pursue the case.
Legal experts anticipate a complex process involving jurisdictional challenges, diplomatic objections and extensive pre-trial litigation.
The U.S. Justice Department has not provided a timeline for court appearances but indicated that the case will proceed “in accordance with federal law.”
“We will pursue this prosecution fully and lawfully,” Bondi said, adding that the department remains committed to dismantling international drug networks.
