{"id":438,"date":"2026-01-04T14:49:59","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T14:49:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/?p=438"},"modified":"2026-01-04T14:49:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T14:49:59","slug":"venezuelan-president-nicolas-maduro-indicted-on-drug-weapons-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/?p=438","title":{"rendered":"Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro Indicted on Drug, Weapons Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article article--permalink \"><!--\/.article__header--><\/p>\n<div class=\"article__blocks clearfix\"><!--\/#cb-e3ade704b456767c79beb2feecadcc42--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-dde5dce70d5c7e0bb289181f9288d790\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-divider-block canvas-divider-block-permalink canvas-divider-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"divider-block\">\n<p class=\"divider-block__text divider-block__stroke-color-primary\">UPDATE<\/p>\n<div class=\"divider-block__bar divider-block__stroke-color-primary divider-block__stroke-style-solid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-dde5dce70d5c7e0bb289181f9288d790--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-46345879209e989ee15c102df086f0bd\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\"><strong>10:30 AM PST &#8212;<\/strong> \u00a0President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/people\/donald-trump\/\"><strong>Donald Trump<\/strong><\/a> said Venezuela VP <strong>Delcy Rodr\u00edguez<\/strong> has been sworn in as the president of Venezuela &#8212; when asked about her, Trump said, &#8220;She\u2019s, I guess, the president&#8221; and said she was &#8220;picked by Maduro.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-46345879209e989ee15c102df086f0bd--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-d1f4c7e2054b47a35603ab74a9f48696\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-video-block canvas-video-block-permalink canvas-video-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"video-block\">\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\">\n<div id=\"video-player-b2cdb410-4781-4507-9973-60e2b4cb34b6-223912216-progress-spinner\" class=\"ratio-item video-block__backdrop below\">\n<div class=\"spinner video-block__spinner\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"video-player-b2cdb410-4781-4507-9973-60e2b4cb34b6-223912216-image-holder\" class=\"ratio ratio-item video-block__image-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 1em auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/d2\/16by9\/2026\/01\/03\/d2f40d2e32e14280ac66d725aafb6c80_md.png\" alt=\"010325_trump_venezuela_presser_vice_president_kal\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"ratio-item ratio-item--jwplayer invisible\">\n<div id=\"jwplayer-video-player-b2cdb410-4781-4507-9973-60e2b4cb34b6-223912216\" class=\"video-portal\" data-autoplay=\"true\" data-muted=\"false\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:video:b2cdb410-4781-4507-9973-60e2b4cb34b6\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"media-credit video-block__media-credit\">The White House<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-d1f4c7e2054b47a35603ab74a9f48696--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-f105478ebdd079583f470d0aed15d46d\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">He claimed she will work with the U.S., adding &#8230; &#8220;She had a long conversation with Marco [Rubio] and said we\u2019ll do what you need. She had no choice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-f105478ebdd079583f470d0aed15d46d--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-a8f2ae5f1f89939527571f3ca71e27ea\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">She previously denounced America&#8217;s military involvement and Maduro\u2019s capture.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-a8f2ae5f1f89939527571f3ca71e27ea--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-a2ee54bc3333d47be335594edcc78221\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\"><strong>9:16 AM PST &#8212;<\/strong> \u00a0President Donald Trump has announced that he plans to &#8220;run&#8221; the country of Venezuela \u201cuntil such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,\u201d in a press briefing Saturday morning. His announcement comes after the U.S. military captured the country\u2019s president, <strong>Nicol\u00e1s Maduro<\/strong>, and his wife, who are being transported to America on drug and weapons charges.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-a2ee54bc3333d47be335594edcc78221--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-045be5341fdb854e684e21686dee44a7\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-video-block canvas-video-block-permalink canvas-video-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"video-block\">\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\">\n<div id=\"video-player-91d2a967-ecbc-409d-b964-3a3ed1973784-1887837952-progress-spinner\" class=\"ratio-item video-block__backdrop below\">\n<div class=\"spinner video-block__spinner\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"video-player-91d2a967-ecbc-409d-b964-3a3ed1973784-1887837952-image-holder\" class=\"ratio ratio-item video-block__image-holder\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 1em auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/6d\/16by9\/2026\/01\/03\/6dc014b654804458bae0a07ca4a348f1_md.png\" alt=\"010325_trump_venezuela_presser_kal\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"ratio-item ratio-item--jwplayer invisible\">\n<div id=\"jwplayer-video-player-91d2a967-ecbc-409d-b964-3a3ed1973784-1887837952\" class=\"video-portal\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-muted=\"false\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:video:91d2a967-ecbc-409d-b964-3a3ed1973784\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"media-credit video-block__media-credit\">The White House<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-045be5341fdb854e684e21686dee44a7--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-1397847a8f5df1cceb4f4b3e57814162\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">Trump did not offer how the United States would oversee Venezuela but noted he has his eyes set on Venezuela\u2019s vast oil reserves. He suggested American oil companies can rebuild the country\u2019s energy infrastructure and consequently regaining rights to the oil there, adding &#8230; &#8220;It\u2019s going to make a lot of money.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-1397847a8f5df1cceb4f4b3e57814162--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-585ea8aac550a08a3096bd75df9b22fd\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-divider-block canvas-divider-block-permalink canvas-divider-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"divider-block\">\n<div class=\"divider-block__bar divider-block__stroke-color-primary divider-block__stroke-style-solid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-585ea8aac550a08a3096bd75df9b22fd--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-378fbbd1b7cd0e8219f3b7939089231c\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and his wife, <strong>Cilia Flores<\/strong>, have been indicted on drug and weapons charges following their overnight capture by the United States military.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-378fbbd1b7cd0e8219f3b7939089231c--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-11b50dba993fe3a990ec023524a7f37c\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">As you know, President Donald Trump said Saturday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/01\/03\/trump-captures-venezuela-president-nicolas-maduro-airstrikes\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>the pair was taken by U.S. troops<\/strong><\/a> and is currently on a warship en route to New York to face charges, which can carry a hefty prison sentence if found guilty.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-11b50dba993fe3a990ec023524a7f37c--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-80d333a97f5cd96135e8977882ecc6eb\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\">\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"magnify-icon icon icon-lg\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 1em auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/90\/4by3\/2026\/01\/03\/90e4fc8221c646ee867993708d7f1425_md.jpg\" alt=\"Nicola\u0301s maduro truth social sub 3\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Truth Social \/ @realDonaldTrump<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-80d333a97f5cd96135e8977882ecc6eb--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-883224664b440da06c260f853ea1e58a\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">The commander-in-chief also shared a photo of him in custody on the USS Iwo Jima looking quite comfy in a matching sweatsuit and a bottle of water in his hand.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-883224664b440da06c260f853ea1e58a--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-9f3c2d7426f33bc6627559c38f923ee3\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">In the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/media\/1422326\/dl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>indictment<\/strong><\/a> unsealed Saturday, Maduro and his co-conspirators have been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machineguns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machineguns and destructive devices.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-9f3c2d7426f33bc6627559c38f923ee3--> <a id=\"continued\" class=\"continued-anchor\"><\/a><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-0a802e4c003f93d928cf5704852ebbb5\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">The charges are the same as in a 2020 indictment against Maduro. The 2020 version named 5 defendants, while the new one names 6 &#8212; including Maduro\u2019s wife and son, <strong>Nicol\u00e1s Ernesto Maduro Guerra<\/strong>. The minister of the interior, <strong>Diosdado Cabello Rondon<\/strong>, is named in both as well, while 2 new defendants were added in the new document. 3 people listed on 2020&#8217;s indictment were dropped.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-0a802e4c003f93d928cf5704852ebbb5--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-8dd669553f94c810fae1176ea6acd05d\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\">\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"magnify-icon icon icon-lg\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 1em auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/fe\/4by3\/2026\/01\/03\/fe5eb6b13b1746869ddd8f2ea83afd5f_md.jpg\" alt=\"Nicola\u0301s maduro cilia flores sub getty swipe\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-8dd669553f94c810fae1176ea6acd05d--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-5df7ae6331cc19d67f22595edd9d4b66\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">Trump had pressured Maduro and his government to clean up their act for months before he launched several military strikes and took Maduro and his wife captive. He has long accused Maduro of funneling drugs and gang members designated as terrorist organizations into America.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-5df7ae6331cc19d67f22595edd9d4b66--> <!--\/#cb-42a951b8f9ce576234f3825252353ad8--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-62d4835a15f3c535654bdcec7027a2c2\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-gallery-block canvas-gallery-block-permalink canvas-gallery-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"gallery-block\"><a class=\"media-link gallery-block__link js-track-link js-click-gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/photos\/2026\/01\/03\/see-the-fiery-destruction-in-venezuela\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:gallery:fb6eeb11-87d0-41ce-862b-a3a9e83ed1e6\" data-context=\"{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;gallery-block&quot;,&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;}\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:7c0ebeac-d527-419f-b3e9-78efca481750\" data-gallery-layout=\"list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 1em auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/63\/4by3\/2026\/01\/03\/63446e0d49af4fe5a0f041fe1ab1fafa_md.jpg\" alt=\"Views of the Fiery Destruction in Venezuela\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"media-icon--overlay gallery-block__media-icon--overlay\"><span class=\"media-icon-label gallery-block__media-icon-label\">Launch Gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a id=\"gallery-link-fb6eeb11-87d0-41ce-862b-a3a9e83ed1e6\" class=\"media-link gallery-block__link js-track-link js-click-gallery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/photos\/2026\/01\/03\/see-the-fiery-destruction-in-venezuela\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:gallery:fb6eeb11-87d0-41ce-862b-a3a9e83ed1e6\" data-context=\"{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;gallery-block&quot;,&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;}\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:7c0ebeac-d527-419f-b3e9-78efca481750\" data-gallery-layout=\"list\"><span class=\"media-credit gallery-block__media-credit\">Getty<\/span> <\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-62d4835a15f3c535654bdcec7027a2c2--><\/p>\n<section id=\"cb-4ae4ca7c7a684c4ba8432b1e6e0ef18f\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  canvas-block-is-last \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">There have been concerns raised that the attack is illegal, but Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/people\/jd-vance\/\"><strong>J.D. Vance<\/strong><\/a> has Trump&#8217;s back, noting &#8230; &#8220;PSA for everyone saying this was \u2018illegal\u2019: Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don\u2019t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.&#8221; Caracas is Venezuela&#8217;s capital and is where Maduro was captured.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\/#cb-4ae4ca7c7a684c4ba8432b1e6e0ef18f--><\/div>\n<p><!--\/.article__blocks--><\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-12\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"tag-cloud\"><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/people\/donald-trump\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:1}\"> Donald Trump <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/crime-and-arrests\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:2}\"> Crime &amp; Arrests <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/drugs-and-alcohol\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:3}\"> Drugs &amp; Alcohol <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/politix\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:4}\"> Politix <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/fairly-legal\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:5}\"> Fairly Legal <\/a><a class=\"tag-cloud__list-group-item js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/categories\/news\/\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;tag-cloud&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:6}\"> News <\/a><\/section>\n<p><!--\/.tag-cloud--><\/article>\n<p><!-- start: promotion-slot desktop-news-permalink -->&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- start: tmz:code-widget:35e71e3b-b339-4b66-9400-30bbf35ffd27 -->&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- end: tmz:code-widget:35e71e3b-b339-4b66-9400-30bbf35ffd27 -->&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- start: tmz:ad-widget:48e0d17a-fa27-42fb-8563-d37b01c3c0aa -->&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- end: tmz:ad-widget:48e0d17a-fa27-42fb-8563-d37b01c3c0aa -->&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- start: tmz:code-widget:42ffb615-fbe5-4d34-97a7-df9e2fe77753 -->&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- end: tmz:code-widget:42ffb615-fbe5-4d34-97a7-df9e2fe77753 -->&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><!-- end: promotion-slot desktop-news-permalink --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UPDATE 10:30 AM PST &#8212; \u00a0President Donald Trump said Venezuela VP Delcy Rodr\u00edguez has been sworn in as the president of Venezuela &#8212; when asked about her, Trump said, &#8220;She\u2019s, &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=438"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":440,"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438\/revisions\/440"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heightshowtime.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}