Announcing the operation in a post on his social media platform on Saturday, US President Donald Trump had said the military action was carried out in conjunction with the US Law Enforcement.
The United States Attorney General, Pamela Bondi, has announced the indictment of Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, in multiple criminal charges.
The US had earlier launched airstrikes against Venezuela and captured the country’s President Maduro alongside his wife, Flores.
Announcing the operation in a post on his social media platform on Saturday, US President Donald Trump had said the military action was carried out in conjunction with the US Law Enforcement.
In a statement shared on X on Saturday, Bondi said the indictment was filed at the Southern District of New York, accusing the Venezuelan leader and his wife of involvement in alleged international drug trafficking and weapons offences.
“Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York,” she stated.
According to the Attorney General, “Nicholas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States.”
Bondi said the suspects would be tried in the United States, stressing that they would soon face the full wrath of justice.
“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” she added.
She also praised President Trump for authorising the operation that led to the arrest of the Maduro and his wife, describing it as a decisive step towards accountability
“On behalf of the entire U.S. DOJ, I would like to thank President 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.”
The United States has for years accused the Venezuelan leader of heading an international drug trafficking network, an allegation Maduro has consistently denied.