Shackled Nicolas Maduro and wife taken to court on drugs charges that could see them executed

The country’s leader, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted on “narco-terrorism” charges after being seized in Caracas by the US military on Saturday.

The former Venezuelan president was seen wearing a brown prison jumpsuit as he was dragged from a helicopter in chains, after he was flown across the East River from Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center.

He was then escorted by two police officers, one on each arm, before being joined by more than 10 armed officers, who escorted him into an armored vehicle.

The captured Venezuelan president was subsequently driven to Manhattan Federal Court, where he will be arraigned at 12pm ET (5pm GMT).

According to US attorney general Pam Bondi, Maduro faces charges of:

• Narco-terrorism conspiracy
• Cocaine importation conspiracy
• Possession of machine guns and destructive devices
• And conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the US

Maduro, who has denied all wrongdoing, could face the death penalty if convicted.

Under federal law, a defendant found guilty of violating the Controlled Substances Act “as part of a continuing criminal enterprise” can be eligible for capital punishment, according to the Library of Congress.

But death sentences for drug offences are uncommon, with most capital offences involving homicide.

Maduro's lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state.

He and his wife, Cilia Flores, 69, are due to make an initial appearance at the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse this afternoon.

Speaking to reporters hours after Maduro’s capture, Mr Trump revealed his plans to exploit the leadership vacuum to “fix” the country’s oil infrastructure and sell “large amounts” of the fuel to other countries.

The US will “run” the country until “a safe, proper and judicious transition” transfer of power can take place, Mr Trump said.

In a post on his Truth Social platform shortly before addressing the media, he posted an image which appeared to show the autocratic leader blindfolded aboard the US warship Iwo Jima and headed to New York.

The attack saw explosions ring out and low-flying aircraft sweep through the Venezuelan capital early on Saturday.

The action, seen as the most assertive US intervention to achieve regime change since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, followed months of pressure from Washington on the country and its autocratic leader.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X that Maduro had been indicted on charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices and cocaine importation conspiracy.

Early on Sunday, the White House’s rapid response account on X posted a video appearing to show Maduro handcuffed and escorted by law enforcement agents.

The video was captioned “perp walked”.