Mike Baker

Maduro and his wife are now reportedly en route to New York.

U.S.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Maduro has been indicted on federal charges.

The indictment accuses him, along with multiple associates, of terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S., large-scale drug trafficking, corruption of public institutions to protect narcotic shipments, and partnerships with foreign drug trafficking organizations.

It's being reported that Maduro could make his first appearance in New York federal court as soon as Monday.

As you can imagine, what remains of the regime isn't too happy with this morning's developments, at least so they claim.

Senior Venezuelan officials have denounced the U.S.

action as an act of aggression and declared a national emergency.

Of course, Maduro has long been the target of U.S.

pressure.

He's been under U.S.

indictment for years on drug trafficking-related charges.

Washington has accused his regime of operating as a narco state, facilitating transnational criminal networks, repressing political opposition, and presiding over the collapse of Venezuela's economy.

As we've been tracking here in recent months, that pressure has steadily intensified.

The U.S.

acknowledged targeted strikes on drug trafficking infrastructure, naval activity in the region increased, and rhetoric from Washington hardened.

This operation appears to be the culmination, of course, of a campaign designed not merely to weaken the Maduro regime, but to remove it altogether.

International reaction has been mixed thus far, and telling.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was, quote,

and urging respect for international law.