Mamdani said he called President Trump personally to let him know he vehemently opposed the arrest of the notorious dictator and his wife Cilia Flores – who’ve been fugitives since 2020 — on narcoterrorism charges.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ignited a firestorm just days into his term by revealing he personally phoned President Donald Trump to protest the U.S. military’s dramatic capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The socialist mayor labeled the operation an “act of war,” citing violations of international law. Briefed by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Mamdani prioritized Venezuelan New Yorkers’ safety amid the fallout.

The early Saturday raid in Caracas stunned the world, with U.S. Special Forces extracting Maduro and Flores aboard helicopters to New York. Indicted since 2020 in the Southern District of New York, the couple faces narcoterrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, machine gun possession, and destructive devices charges.

Attorney General Pam Bondi declared they would face “American justice” in Manhattan court Monday.

Mamdani, sworn in Wednesday as NYC’s first democratic socialist mayor, posted on X condemning the “unilateral attack on a sovereign nation.” He emphasized impacts on 50,000 Venezuelan residents, vowing to monitor threats. Critics blasted him as a Maduro sympathizer, dubbing him “commie mayor” for dodging “dictator” labels during his campaign.

Trump, from Mar-a-Lago, hailed the “large-scale strike” as justice for a narco-state flooding America with drugs. He boasted of watching it live, promising U.S. oversight of Venezuela’s oil. VP JD Vance defended it: Maduro’s indictments made him a fugitive, not immune in Caracas palaces.

Flores, Venezuela’s former National Assembly president, allegedly took bribes to fix meetings with anti-drug officials, enabling cocaine flows. The updated indictment adds her and Maduro’s son, “the Prince,” to 2020 charges against 14 Chavistas. Bounty hit $50 million; now, they’re in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

Mamdani’s call, his first Trump clash post-inauguration, broke their Oval Office “love-fest.” “I registered opposition clearly; we left it there,” he said at a Brooklyn bike lane event. Trump stayed silent on details, but allies like Curtis Sliwa shrugged it off as leftist antics.

Backlash exploded online: MAGA voices roasted Mamdani as overreaching, questioning his authority on foreign policy. “Been mayor 72 hours, thinks he runs U.S. foreign affairs,” tweeted sports broadcaster Emily Austin. Breitbart called it whining for a “socialist dictator.”

Democrats split: Gov. Kathy Hochul decried “abuse of power without Congress,” Sen. Chuck Schumer called Maduro illegitimate but reckless sans plan. AG Letitia James prayed for Venezuelans yet invoked Constitution. AOC stayed mum, drawing fire.

Internationally, Russia, Iran, China demanded release, echoing Maduro allies. Ukraine’s Zelensky urged Putin next; Argentina’s Milei celebrated “narcoterrorist fall.” Colombia protested; Netanyahu praised Trump’s “bold leadership.”

Maduro’s ouster leaves chaos: Colectivos armed gangs patrol Caracas, VP Delcy Rodríguez demands “proof of life.” Chavistas cling to power; opposition eyes transition. Trump hinted U.S. “running” Venezuela temporarily for stability.

Legal precedents loom like Noriega’s 1989 Panama grab—surrendered after siege, tried in Miami. Bondi likened it: law enforcement backed by military for indicted fugitives. No congressional nod needed, per GOP hawks like Sen. Tom Cotton.

Mamdani’s past fuels fury: Hesitated calling Maduro dictator in interviews, snapped with Cuban regime pals. Exiles like Rep. María Elvira Salazar accused complicity, fearing Havana/Caracas misery import. His Ugandan roots, DSA ties paint him jihadist-commie hybrid to foes.

NYC implications thunder: Maduro’s trial blocks from City Hall risks protests, security strains. Tens of thousands Venezuelan migrants fear retaliation; Mamdani pledges guidance. Hochul briefed too, amplifying sanctuary city tensions with feds.

Trump’s drug war escalates post-pardons of some traffickers, spotlighting hypocrisy claims. Heritage’s Andrés Martínez-Fernández cheered: ends “narco-dictatorship weaponizing migration.” Bounty paid? Unclear, but victory lap huge.

Mamdani defended: “Honest directness” defines his Trump ties—from Oval critiques to this call. “New Yorkers elected me for that,” he insisted. Polls? Divided: 48% see overreach, 42% back accountability per early surveys.

Fiscal hits: NYC legal/riot prep costs millions; Mamdani’s fundraising surges from lefties. Trump DOJ eyes probes? Mamdani shrugs threats like denaturalization as “price of standing up.”

Global ripple: Oil prices spike 5% on Venezuela uncertainty; Tren de Aragua gang ties probed. Maduro denies via aides; Flores’ bribes detailed in 2007 meetings yielding anti-drug director payoffs.

Media wars rage: Fox hails heroism, CNN/MSNBC question legality. #AutopenGate fades; #MaduroGate trends. X memes mock “Robo-Mayor” defending narcos.

Mamdani’s honeymoon ends abruptly, testing socialist vs. MAGA in sanctuary NYC. Trump unfazed, eyes Cuba next per Rubio. Venezuelan exiles rally: “Justice at last.”

This saga redefines U.S. intervention: indicted abroad? No palace shield. Mamdani’s defiance spotlights left fractures on sovereignty vs. justice. Arraignment Monday: world watches.

Backstory: Maduro’s 2018 “fraud election” sparked sanctions, exodus. U.S. labeled him Cartel de los Soles boss, shipping tons cocaine via state firms.

Flores, Chavismo iron lady, rose from barrios to power broker. Their colectivos shielded ops; now, Brooklyn bars await trial.

Mamdani’s brief: Tisch, deputies warned of NYC custody. His X post pre-call set tone: regime change endangers locals.

Trump’s retort? None yet, but Pete Hegseth touted “brilliant soldiers.” Rubio: Cubans nervous too—”senile disaster.”

Fallout for Mamdani: Approval dips 3 points per Siena; Guardian League donors cheer. Recall whispers? Premature.

Venezuela interim: Diosdado Cabello charged too, flees? Oil fields U.S.-eyed for “fixing.”

This “act of war” or justice dawn? Mamdani-Trump line embodies divide: globalism vs. America First. History judges.