Photo: a screenshot of NBC News helicopter video showing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arriving at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, New York, on local time January 3, 2026.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have reportedly landed at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, New York, on Saturday afternoon, per the US media NBC News. Video from an NBC News helicopter appeared to show Maduro walking off a jet around 5:25 pm at an airfield around 50 miles north of Manhattan. He appeared to wear a gray sweatshirt and shackles as he walked down the stairs of the plane and into a hangar, surrounded by federal agents, NBC reported. 

The Reuters news agency reported that Maduro is expected to make his first appearance in a Manhattan court on Monday to face allegations of narcotics conspiracy.

Maduro and his wife have been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offenses, said the NBC report.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has demanded the "immediate release" of the couple at a session of the National Defense Council broadcast by a state television channel. Maduro is "the only president" of Venezuela, she said, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The latest US strikes on Venezuela and its capture of Maduro have drawn worldwide condemnation and concern. The UN Security Council announced Saturday that it will hold an emergency meeting on Monday on the US operation against Venezuela.

Commenting on US strikes on Venezuela and seizure of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Saturday night that China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US's blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president. Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it. We call on the U.S. to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security.

Global Times