Desk Correspondent , Venezuela - Visuals have emerged showing the former President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, in handcuffs at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headquarters in Florida. This follows a high-stakes military operation where U.S. elite forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from Caracas. The "perp walk" images, widely circulated by international media, show a disheveled Maduro being escorted by armed federal agents, marking a stunning downfall for the leader who held power in Venezuela for over a decade.

The U.S. Department of Justice had previously placed a $15 million bounty on Maduro, accusing him of leading a cocaine-trafficking ring known as the "Cartel of the Suns." Upon his arrival on U.S. soil, Maduro was processed at a secure facility before being moved to the DEA's regional office. Legal experts suggest that he will face an initial court appearance shortly to be formally charged with narco terrorism, money laundering, and other federal crimes. The white-shirted former president appeared somber and remained silent as reporters captured the historic moment.

While the U.S. government celebrates the capture as a victory for regional security and democracy, the situation in Venezuela remains highly volatile. The Venezuelan military has reportedly split into factions, with some units remaining loyal to the Maduro regime's remaining leadership while others have laid down their arms. Protests and celebrations have broken out simultaneously in various parts of the world, reflecting the deeply polarizing nature of Maduro's reign. As the judicial process begins in the United States, the international community is closely monitoring the transition of power in Caracas.