In a striking scene that captivated global audiences, former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal courthouse on Monday, visibly limping and shackled as he faced U.S. charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. Viral videos showed the 63-year-old leader shuffling from a helicopter and armored vehicle under heavy guard, a dramatic symbol of his swift fall from power following a U.S. military operation.

Maduro, held at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center since his January 3 capture, was whisked by motorcade to a helicopter pad, then flown across New York Harbor before a final ride in a fortified truck to the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse. Observers noted his awkward gait—possibly from injuries sustained during the raid—amid barricades and onlookers straining for a glimpse. Both he and wife Cilia Flores, also charged, entered not guilty pleas in a hearing that lasted under an hour, with Maduro boldly declaring, I am still president of Venezuela.

Prosecutors laid out a sweeping indictment accusing Maduro of orchestrating a 25-year conspiracy with FARC guerrillas, Mexican cartels, and Venezuelas Cartel of the Suns to ship tons of cocaine to the U.S. while supplying traffickers with arms. These charges, first unsealed in 2020, now carry potential life sentences. Maduros defense team signaled plans to contest the arrests legality at his next hearing on March 17.

The backdrop is Operation Absolute Resolve, a Pentagon-led strike involving over 150 aircraft, Delta Force, and cyber warfare that neutralized Venezuelan air defenses and stormed Maduros residence. Trump announced the bloodless U.S. success—no American fatalities—though Venezuelan casualties mounted, drawing UN criticism. This echoes the 1989 Noriega takedown, raising questions about U.S. intervention in Latin America.

Back home, Maduro loyalist Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president by the National Assembly and military, vowing stability while calling for his release. President Trump warned of oil sanctions if she resists cooperation, as hyperinflation-weary citizens hope for elections amid power vacuums. The case tests U.S. courts reach into foreign leadership, with ripple effects for regional drug wars and migration crises.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.