New York mayor condemns US military operation in Venezuela, calls arrest of President Maduro an act of war

New York: Newly sworn-in New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has strongly condemned the United States’ military operation against Venezuela and the arrest of its President Nicolás Maduro, calling the action a “unilateral act equivalent to war” and a serious violation of international law.

Addressing a press conference in New York, Mamdani said he personally spoke to US President Donald Trump over the phone to register his protest. “I directly conveyed my opposition to the President. Launching a unilateral military strike on a sovereign nation violates both federal principles and international law,” the mayor said.

The US military operation comes just days after Mamdani took oath as the 112th mayor of New York. Late Friday night, American forces reportedly carried out large-scale airstrikes on Venezuela’s capital Caracas, following which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were taken into custody.

According to US authorities, Maduro has been accused of being a key mastermind in an international drug trafficking network. The US Attorney General announced that formal charges have been filed against him in the Southern District of New York and that both Maduro and Flores will be brought to New York for questioning and trial.

Mayor Mamdani warned that the operation could have serious repercussions, not just internationally but also locally. “This action will have a direct impact on Venezuelans living in New York and on the broader immigrant communities in our city. The safety and well-being of every New Yorker is my responsibility,” he said, adding that the city administration would issue necessary guidance and support to affected communities.

The mayor’s remarks come amid growing criticism from sections of the international community, which have questioned the legality of the US action and its implications for global stability. Several human rights groups and political leaders have raised concerns over the precedent set by the arrest of a sitting head of state through a military operation.

Meanwhile, the White House has defended the move, stating that the operation was necessary to dismantle an alleged transnational drug network and protect US national security interests. Officials insist that the action was carried out based on intelligence inputs and legal processes.

However, Mamdani reiterated that such justifications do not override international norms. “No matter the allegations, sovereignty and the rule of law cannot be bypassed through force,” he said.

As tensions escalate, New York—home to a large Venezuelan diaspora—remains on alert, with city officials closely monitoring developments and their potential impact on public safety and community relations.

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