Newly minted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife “directly impacts” his citizens.
Mamdani took to the social media site X on Saturday, stating he was briefed about the U.S. military capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores and their impending imprisonment in New York City.
The Mayor slammed the U.S. attack on the South American country, stating, “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 said.
Mamdani said his focus is on the safety of Madurop, Flores and “every New Yorker” while his administration continues to monitor the situation and offer guidance.
Mayor’s words met with mixed emotions
Mamdani’s Saturday message was mixed from the online peanut gallery.
“So you do admit that Hamas, the elected Government of Gaza, unilaterally attacking Israel, a sovereign nation on 10/7 – was an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” one X user commented.
“Ask yourself why there are tens of thousands of Venezuelans in New York to begin with,” wrote another. “Millions of Venezuelans are crying tears of joy right now while you are trying to make this situation about you.”
One X user was more positive, suggesting that Mamdani meet and chat with Maduro while he’s in custody. He suggested talking with Maduro could be a pivotal moment to kick off his new administration.
“Ask him about the economic destruction, physical death, and societal decay that took place in Venezuela under his socialist policies,” the user suggested. “Many of those policies are similar to your policies. We don’t need to run some grand experiment of socialism and communism in NYC. You can simply look at Venezuela as an example of what happens under these ideas.”