- Maduro indicted in US federal court.
- Charges include narco-terrorism plot.
- Wife also named in indictment.
The United States has formally indicted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse on highly sensitive federal charges, marking a dramatic escalation in the diplomatic and legal conflict between Washington and Caracas. The official announcement was made by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who confirmed the charges were filed in the Southern District of New York.
According to the BBC, the indictment includes a wide array of felonies, primarily centered on illegal drug operations and weapons possession intended to harm U.S. interests. The indictment of a sitting head of state on such severe criminal charges is an extremely rare diplomatic and legal move, highlighting the severity with which US authorities view the alleged criminal enterprise operating out of Caracas. The core of the charges against President Maduro involves an alleged “narco-terrorism conspiracy” and a separate “cocaine importation conspiracy.” These allegations suggest that the Venezuelan state apparatus was allegedly used to facilitate large-scale narcotics trafficking. Furthermore, the indictment details serious weapons violations, specifically claiming Maduro was involved in the possession of machine guns and other destructive devices.
An additional charge specifies a conspiracy involving the illegal possession of machine guns and destructive weaponry aimed against the interests of the United States. Attorney General Bondi delivered a strong statement regarding the expected outcome, emphasizing that those indicted would eventually face the full punitive power of the American judicial system. She reportedly stated that Maduro would “soon face the full wrath of American justice” within US courts. While the Attorney General confirmed that the President’s wife was also included in the New York indictment, she did not immediately provide specific details regarding the exact nature of the charges leveled against her. Such high-profile charges typically carry heavy sentences and are often accompanied by substantial financial rewards for information leading to the arrest of the accused.
The move further solidifies the US position that Maduro is not a legitimate leader, but rather the head of a criminal organization. Concluding her remarks, Bondi reportedly extended profound gratitude to military personnel. She specifically commended their execution of what she described as an “incredibly successful mission” designed to apprehend these two individuals, whom she referred to as alleged international drug smugglers. The formal filing of these charges provides a clear legal framework for future actions should there be a change in the country’s political landscape or should the couple travel outside Venezuela. republicpk.com/maduro-us-charges