New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has taken the extraordinary step of personally contacting former President Donald Trump to voice his strong opposition to recent US military operations in Venezuela.
A Direct Call of Protest
The mayor confirmed he made a brief but pointed call to the president on Sunday 04 January 2026. During the conversation, Mamdani explicitly registered his objection to actions which included the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
"I registered my opposition, I made it clear and we left it at that," Mamdani stated, summarising the exchange. He argued that the operations constitute an act of war and represent a breach of both federal and international law.
Impact on New York's Venezuelan Community
Mamdani emphasised that the situation has direct consequences for his city. He highlighted that tens of thousands of Venezuelan residents call New York home, and the US government's actions directly affect their lives and community.
The mayor's intervention underscores the local ramifications of a major foreign policy decision, blurring the lines between international affairs and municipal governance.
Maduro's Current Status and Charges
Following his capture, the detained Venezuelan leader is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Authorities indicate he is expected to face federal charges in Manhattan, likely related to drug and weapons allegations.
President Trump has stated that the US intends to administer Venezuela until a peaceful political transition can be secured, detailing the operation that led to Maduro's capture.
This dramatic development marks a significant escalation in US involvement in Venezuelan politics, sparking debate over its legality and drawing direct criticism from one of America's most prominent city leaders.
