- Mamdani claims the operation violated federal and international law.
- This decision could have direct consequences for Venezuelans in the United States.
- The mayor says he is monitoring the situation and can issue directives if necessary.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he personally called President Donald Trump to oppose what he described as “continued regime change” in Venezuela, following the overnight capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
President Trump announced Saturday that he was temporarily placing Venezuela under U.S. control after the United States captured President Nicolas Maduro in a daring raid and took him to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
“We will lead the country until we can make a safe, appropriate and wise transition,” Trump said during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. “We cannot take the risk of someone else taking control of Venezuela if they do not have the interests of Venezuelans in mind.”
Trump also said that as part of the takeover, major U.S. oil companies would move into Venezuela, which has the world’s largest oil reserves, and refurbish badly degraded oil infrastructure, a process that experts say could take years.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mamdani said he had contacted Trump “directly” to clarify his position.
“I called the president and spoke to him directly to express my opposition to this action,” he said.
Mamdani said his objection was based on his opposition to a “pursuit of regime change” and actions that he believes run counter to federal and international law, which he believes should be applied consistently.
Earlier, the mayor described the U.S. military operation that led to Maduro’s capture as “an act of war” and a “blatant pursuit of regime change.”
In an article on X, Mamdani said he was informed of the operation and plans to hold Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in federal custody in New York.
“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” he said, warning that the move marked a dangerous escalation in U.S. foreign policy.
Mamdani said the fallout from the operation would not be limited to Venezuela and could directly affect tens of thousands of Venezuelans living in New York.
“I am focused on their safety and the safety of all New Yorkers,” he said, adding that his administration would continue to monitor the situation and issue directives as necessary.
His comments come after President Trump announced that US forces had carried out a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Maduro and his wife. Trump later said the two men were being flown to New York to face federal charges.
