Jan 3, 2026 - Politics & Policy

Maduro indictment unsealed after U.S. capture in Venezuela

Lauren Floyd

Nicolas Maduro, in an open-collared shirt, waves to a crowd with his right hand. — Nicolas Maduro at a December 2025 rally in Venezuela. Photo: Federico Parra / AFP via Getty Images)

The Justice Department unsealed a new indictment against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday after the U.S. struck the country, captured him and flew him and his wife out of South America.

The big picture: The indictment accused Maduro and associates of terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, drug trafficking, corruption of public institutions to protect illegal drug shipments and partnerships with foreign drug-terror groups.

Officials alleged in the indictment that Maduro is "at the forefront" of corruption and abuse of public trust in the country that has lasted more than 25 years.
Maduro is also accused in the indictment of moving "loads of cocaine under the protection of Venezuelan law enforcement."

The Venezuelan leader had before the U.S. strike publicly denied accusations of corruption and drug trafficking and called for dialogue with the U.S.

Of note: President Trump has blamed Venezuela for the spread of fentanyl in the United States, but the word "fentanyl" does not appear anywhere in the indictment against Maduro.

Read the full indictment below or here:

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Maduro indictment unsealed after U.S. capture in Venezuela

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