New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday strongly criticised the US military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, expressing concern over plans to hold them in federal custody in New York.

The U.S. struck Venezuela and captured its long-serving President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump announced earlier, after months of pressuring him over accusations of drug-running and illegitimacy in power.

“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,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

Republican U.S. Senator Mike Lee said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told him Maduro would stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.

In a statement posted on X, Mamdani said he was briefed earlier in the day on the operation and the decision to transfer the Venezuelan leader and his wife to New York following the US action.

“I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City,” he wrote.

Mamdani described the operation as a serious violation of law, stating, “Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”

He warned that overt attempts at regime change have consequences beyond foreign borders. “This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home,” the mayor said.

Emphasising public safety, Mamdani added, “My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker,” noting that his administration is closely monitoring developments.

He said city authorities would continue to assess the situation and issue guidance as needed to ensure public safety, particularly for New York’s large Venezuelan community.

US federal authorities have not publicly responded to the mayor’s remarks.