Zohran Mamdani says a unilateral strike would constitute an act of war and raises concerns for New Yorkers amid reports of a planned federal detention in the city
New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani stated that he was briefed on a United States military operation involving the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, with plans for their imprisonment in federal custody in New York City.
In a public statement, Mamdani said that a unilateral attack on a sovereign nation constitutes an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.
He characterized the action as a pursuit of regime change and warned that its consequences extend beyond Venezuela.
The mayor emphasized the local impact, noting that tens of thousands of Venezuelans live in New York City.
He said his administration’s priority is the safety of those residents and the safety of all New Yorkers.
Mamdani added that the city is monitoring developments closely and will issue guidance as appropriate.
Beyond the mayor’s remarks, no additional official details about the operation or the legal process described have been publicly clarified.
The episode highlights how international military decisions can carry immediate implications for America’s largest city.