NYC Mayor Calls US Action In Venezuela An "Act Of War"

New York: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly condemned the US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, calling it an "act of war" and a breach of international law. Mamdani said the move risks far-reaching consequences both abroad and at home.

In a statement on X, the recently sworn-in mayor said he had been briefed early Saturday on the overnight operation. The US military action, which included strikes in Caracas and the detention of Maduro and his wife, has thrust global attention on Washington’s bold intervention.

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

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

Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and…

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 3, 2026

Why is the mayor so critical?

Mamdani argued that unilateral military strikes on a sovereign nation amount to an “act of war” under both federal and international law. He also described the operation as a blatant attempt at regime change.

The mayor said, "Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law."

"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," he added.

The mayor said his priority is public safety and that his administration will monitor developments closely, issuing guidance as needed.

How did Trump Jr Respond?

The mayor’s remarks have added to a growing divide in US politics over the Venezuela move.

In response to Mamdani, Donald Trump Jr. said that tens of thousands of Venezuelans live in New York City and hundreds of thousands across other American cities because they were forced to flee the dictatorial regime in their country.

“In all fairness there’s tens of thousands of Venezuelans in NYC and hundreds of thousands in other cities all over America because they had to flee the dictatorial regime there. The people of Venezuela and all the actual Venezuelans in South Florida that I’ve seen are ecstatic,” he wrote on X.

In all fairness there’s tens of thousands of Venezuelans in NYC and hundreds of thousands in other cities all over America because they had to flee the dictatorial regime there. The people of Venezuela and all the actual Venezuelans in South Florida that I’ve seen are ecstatic. https://t.co/vOCRqRHHjO

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 4, 2026

What is the background to the Venezuela operation?

The controversy follows a sudden US military operation in Venezuela on Saturday that reportedly led to the detention of President Nicolas Maduro under “Operation Absolute Resolve.”

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured overnight from their residence inside a military base in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela and have been brought to New York

What Trump said after the attack?

Addressing the media after the operation, Trump said that Washington will rule Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”