In a sharp rebuke of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has condemned the US military strikes on Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, labeling the operation an “act of war.” Only two days into his term, the Mayor confirmed he spoke directly with the US President Donald Trump to register his opposition, arguing that the unilateral pursuit of regime change violates international law and threatens the safety of New Yorkers. Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York and are being brought to the city to face the charges against them.
Speaking at a press conference while responding to a question on Venezuela and Maduro’s capture, Mamdani said “I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act”.
Mamdani said he had also told Trump he was “opposed to a pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal and international law. “
The mayor refused to describe how the president responded when reporters asked him about it. His aides said Mamdani had made the call earlier on Saturday afternoon and that the conversation was “brief,” according to a report by The New York Times.
“I registered my opposition. I made it clear and we left it at that,” Mamdani said.
Mamdani said he was briefed on Saturday morning by senior officials in his administration, including his chief of staff and the police commissioner, about the US military operation to capture the Venezuelan president and his wife and about their planned detention in federal custody in New York City.
I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City.
Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and…
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 3, 2026
Concern over impact on New Yorkers
He said the “blatant pursuit of regime change” has consequences for New Yorkers, especially Venezuelans living in the city.
“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” the newly sworn-in mayor said in his written statement.
Focus on safety of Venezuelan community
“This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance,” Mamdani added.
US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 3, 2026
Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the US.
“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” Bondi said, thanking Trump for “having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers”.
