Kristi Noem says deportation possible for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after US trial

WASHINGTON, DC: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Sunday, January 4, that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores could face deportation after standing trial in the United States.

The comments come a day after President Donald Trump announced that US forces captured the pair during a large-scale overnight military operation in Venezuela.

Maduro and Flores are currently being held in federal custody in New York ahead of their court appearances. Venezuelan officials have disputed US claims and condemned the operation as an act of aggression.

Kristi Noem says US wants to bring Nicolas Maduro to justice

Speaking on Fox News, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that the US administration was focused on bringing Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores to justice, while leaving open the possibility of deportation following their trial.

“If there’s a legitimate government in another country that wants them to come and pay for their crimes in their country, we’ll work with them. Right now, we don’t have that in Venezuela,” Noem said.

Noem said that the priority for US authorities was prosecution under American law.

Maduro and Flores are currently being held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn, New York, and are scheduled to appear in a Manhattan court on Monday.

The comments follow Attorney General Pam Bondi’s announcement that the pair would face multiple charges in the United States.

In a post on X, Bondi wrote, “Nicolas Maduro has been charged with N***o-T*****m Conspiracy, C*****e Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States.”

She added, “They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

Bondi also praised the operation that led to the arrests, saying, “On behalf of the entire US DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump… and our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission.” 

US officials have said that Maduro was previously indicted in federal court, and his capture marked a significant escalation in Washington’s actions toward the Venezuelan government.

Trump details Venezuela operation as successful

President Donald Trump announced early on Saturday that the United States had carried out a large-scale overnight military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Maduro and Flores.

Trump said the pair were taken into custody following coordinated strikes by US forces and flown out of the country.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”

He continued, “This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement. Details to follow.”

Trump praised the mission, saying, “A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people. It was a brilliant operation, actually.”