New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he directly conveyed his opposition to the US military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a phone call with President Donald Trump.
According to Mamdani, the call took place on Saturday after he was informed about Maduro’s capture and transfer to New York, where he is expected to face prosecution on narco-terrorism-related charges.
“I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act,” Mamdani said, “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.”
The mayor addressed the issue while responding to a question about a US military strike in Venezuela during a separate press event in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
At the time, Mamdani had been in office for only three days.
The White House did not immediately provide a response when asked to comment on the reported conversation.
“I registered my opposition. I made it clear and we left it at that,” Mamdani said.
Mayor issues public statement on Venezuela action
Earlier, Mayor Mamdani published a longer statement on X outlining his position on the US operation.
“I was briefed this morning on the US 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 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. My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance,” the mayor’s statement said.
