Mamdani condemns capture of Maduro
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a news conference Saturday afternoon that he had spoken to President Donald Trump to register his opposition to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
“I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act and to make clear that it was an opposition based on being opposed to a pursuit of regime change to the violation of federal, international law and a desire to see that be consistent each and every day," Mamdani said.
Mamdani had said in a statement issued earlier in the day that Maduro and his wife were expected to be held in federal custody in New York City.
At the news conference, the mayor said the city would make sure to limit the day-to-day impact of Maduro’s presence in the city “that will come as a consequence of actions the federal government is taking.”
He added, “There are tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. Their safety is critically important to me, as is the safety of each and every New Yorker, and my job is to deliver for them.”
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
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