New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has issued a forceful condemnation of the United States military's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, labeling the operation an illegal 'act of war' that directly impacts his constituents.
Mayor's Statement on Social Media
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, Mayor Mamdani took to the social media platform X to announce he had been briefed on the capture and the planned imprisonment of the Venezuelan leader and his spouse in federal custody in New York City. In his statement, the newly minted mayor sharply criticized the unilateral action.
"Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law," Mamdani wrote. He emphasized that the consequences of this "blatant pursuit of regime change" extend beyond Venezuela's borders, directly affecting the tens of thousands of Venezuelans who reside in New York.
Focus on Safety and Local Impact
Mayor Mamdani stated that his administration's primary concern is ensuring the safety of Maduro, Flores, and "every New Yorker." His office is actively monitoring the volatile situation and plans to offer guidance to the public as events develop. The mayor's remarks highlight the local ramifications of a dramatic international incident, framing it as a matter of immediate concern for the city's security and its large Venezuelan diaspora.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The mayor's declaration on X sparked a wide range of reactions from the online community. Some users challenged Mamdani's consistency, drawing parallels to other international conflicts. "So you do admit that Hamas, the elected Government of Gaza, unilaterally attacking Israel, a sovereign nation on 10/7 – was an act of war and a violation of federal and international law," one comment read.
Others criticized the mayor for his stance, suggesting he was missing the point. "Ask yourself why there are tens of thousands of Venezuelans in New York to begin with," wrote another user. "Millions of Venezuelans are crying tears of joy right now while you are trying to make this situation about you."
A more supportive respondent saw an opportunity, urging Mayor Mamdani to engage with Maduro while he is in custody. The user suggested a conversation about Venezuela's economic and societal challenges under socialist policies could serve as a cautionary tale for the mayor's own political agenda in New York, stating, "We don't need to run some grand experiment of socialism and communism in NYC. You can simply look at Venezuela as an example."
The capture of President Maduro has ignited a fierce debate that bridges foreign policy and local governance, placing New York City's leader at the centre of a contentious geopolitical storm.
