New York, 4 January 2026 – New York City’s newly inaugurated mayor, Zohran Mamdani, publicly condemned the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, calling the intervention an “act of war” and a violation of both federal and international law.
Mayor Mamdani confirmed he spoke directly with former U.S. President Donald Trump to express his firm opposition to the strike and the ensuing detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores — a conversation he described as brief but clear in its message.
“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” Mamdani wrote on social media, warning that such actions carry consequences beyond foreign soil and could affect New Yorkers, particularly members of the city’s Venezuelan diaspora.
Mamdani’s reaction came shortly after the U.S. military launched strikes on Venezuelan territory, targeting key sites in Caracas as part of an operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture and transfer to New York City to face federal charges, including alleged narcotics offenses. The mayor underscored the legal and diplomatic ramifications of the raid, while also highlighting his responsibility to safeguard the safety of all residents.
His message reflects growing political debate within the United States about the legality and strategic value of the Venezuela operation — particularly given that the administration did not seek prior congressional authorization and may now reshape how American military power is perceived globally. Analysts and lawmakers in Washington are already scrutinizing the decision, with some warning that it risks entanglement in a broader conflict.
Mayor Mamdani’s stance marks one of his first high-profile interventions in international affairs since taking office and underscores the tension between local leadership responsibilities and foreign policy actions emanating from federal authority.
