Maduro and wife arrive in New York to face US charges

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores arrived in New York on Saturday aboard a US aircraft, landing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, following their capture in a large-scale US military operation in Venezuela earlier in the day. US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the couple will face federal charges, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, drug trafficking and related offenses.

Earlier, Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez demanded "proof of life" for Maduro and his wife, stating the government did not know their whereabouts following the US action, which she described as a violation of sovereignty. Maduro and Flores are expected to be transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and make an initial court appearance as soon as Monday.