‘Comrade Mamdani’ Has a Big Sad Over Maduro’s Capture, Gets Absolutely Dragged Online [WATCH]

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing widespread criticism after publicly condemning the U.S. military operation that led to the capture and indictment of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, comments that sparked backlash from Republican lawmakers, conservative commentators, and advocates focused on drug enforcement and national security.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has criticised the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro on X, calling it an ‘act of war’ and saying the ‘blatant pursuit of regime change’ affects not just those abroad, but also tens of thousands of Venezuelans in New York. pic.twitter.com/daTo9TJyg6

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 4, 2026

The controversy began Saturday after Mamdani said he had been briefed on what he described as the “U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife,” stating that the pair were expected to be held in federal custody in New York City.

Mamdani criticized the operation as unlawful and warned it could have consequences for city residents.

“Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law,” Mamdani wrote.

He added that his administration was prioritizing the safety of Venezuelans living in New York City and said the city would “continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance.”

I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City.

Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and…

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 3, 2026

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he spoke to President Donald Trump to register opposition to the abduction of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. pic.twitter.com/ylCLA4czEU

— Matthew Chayes (@chayesmatthew) January 3, 2026

The mayor’s remarks came hours after President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured during a U.S. military operation and removed from Venezuela.

The announcement followed a night of explosions reported in Caracas. Maduro has been under U.S. indictment since 2020 on federal narco-terrorism charges.

According to federal prosecutors, Maduro and senior members of his regime coordinated with Colombian drug trafficking organizations to move large quantities of cocaine into the United States.

U.S. authorities have long characterized Maduro as the head of an illegitimate regime linked to transnational criminal networks.

Mamdani’s response prompted immediate criticism from Republican lawmakers in New York and beyond. Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, accused the mayor of sympathizing with a foreign adversary.

“The Marxist Mayor of New York City seems upset that a socialist dictator/narco terrorist is removed from power and will stand trial in New York for his illegal activities that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans,” Lawler wrote, adding, “God help New York.”

Marxist Mayor of New York City angry that socialist dictator/narco terrorist is removed from power and will stand trial in New York for his illegal activities that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans.

God help New York. https://t.co/aMO3ECUcF4

— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) January 3, 2026

Florida Rep. Carlos Giménez, who represents a district with a large Venezuelan exile population and chairs the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, also condemned Mamdani’s statement.

“Wow! The socialist mayor of NYC supporting the murderous, illegitimate narcoterrorist dictator of Venezuela! It’s pathetic, laughable, and highly unfortunate — but unsurprising,” Giménez wrote.

Wow! The socialist mayor of NYC supporting the murderous, illegitimate narcoterrorist dictator of #Venezuela! It’s pathetic, laughable, and highly unfortunate — but unsurprising.

— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) January 3, 2026

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York urged the mayor to consider the scale of Venezuela’s humanitarian collapse before criticizing the U.S. action.

“Before defending a murderous narco terrorist, did it ever cross your mind why 8 million people—nearly equivalent to the population of NYC—fled the Maduro Marxist regime?” Malliotakis wrote.

“Maybe ask some Venezuelan New Yorkers before you bring his failed socialist oppressive policies here.”

Before defending a murderous narco terrorist, did it ever cross your mind why 8 million people—nearly equivalent to the population of NYC—fled the Maduro Marxist regime? Maybe ask some Venezuelan New Yorkers before you bring his failed socialist oppressive policies here…. https://t.co/vWkS9u68Pp

— Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) January 3, 2026

Other national figures also weighed in. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas mocked the mayor by referring to him as “Comrade Mamdani.”

Comrade Mamdani is sad that Maduro is out of power. 🤔 https://t.co/YSwQeHWxmg

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 3, 2026

Conservative commentator Scott Jennings responded to Mamdani’s remarks by writing, “Guy using al Qaeda’s lawyer has thoughts.”

Guy using al Qaeda’s lawyer has thoughts. https://t.co/rRvdewf5EI

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) January 3, 2026

Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, dismissed the mayor’s comments in a brief post, writing, “Blah blah cry harder.”

Blah blah cry harder https://t.co/AtPdPIZHt8

— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) January 3, 2026

Michael Henry, a Republican candidate for New York attorney general, accused Mamdani of ignoring the impact of Venezuelan-linked criminal activity in the city.

“When Tren de Aragua infiltrated and terrorized New Yorkers — including their fellow Venezuelans — you were an absentee Assemblyman,” Henry wrote. “I guess it hurts to see Socialism fail before your own very naive eyes.”

When Tren de Aragua infiltrated and terrorized New Yorkers including their fellow Venezuelans, you were an absentee Assemblyman.

I guess it hurts to see Socialism fail before your own very naive eyes. https://t.co/nBelJjT09d

— Michael Henry (@michaelhenry4ag) January 3, 2026

Several critics focused on the broader consequences of Venezuela’s drug trafficking operations.

Author Robert Spencer questioned the mayor’s emphasis on diplomatic concerns over public safety.

“What about the safety and security of New Yorkers whose lives have been destroyed by drugs coming in from Venezuela?” Spencer asked.

Hey Mayor, what about the safety and security of New Yorkers whose lives have been destroyed by drugs coming in from Venezuela? Do their lives matter, Mr. Mayor, sir? https://t.co/WmlFyL8LaS

— Robert Spencer (@jihadwatchRS) January 3, 2026

Former Arkansas Governor and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee also criticized Mamdani’s stance, writing that he felt sorry for New Yorkers who “elected a mayor who sides with a drug trafficker & ally of Iran & Hezbollah rather than his constituents.”

I pity ppl of NY for electing a mayor who sides with a drug trafficker & ally of Iran & Hezbollah rather than his constituents. Will he & Sen Van Hollen go to Maduro”s jail cell to sip margaritas for solidarity? https://t.co/TfWZew9NeE

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 3, 2026

Critics further pointed to Mamdani’s past statements, including earlier comments suggesting he would support the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited New York City.

“This is the same guy who said he’d arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to NYC,” wrote conservative writer and podcast host Ian Haworth.

This is the same guy who said he’d arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to NYC. https://t.co/ueZLDycHy8

— Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) January 3, 2026

The New York Republican Party said the mayor’s remarks reflected a disconnect from the reality facing Venezuelan communities.

“While Mamdani expresses outrage,” the party said, “Venezuelans are celebrating the fall of a brutal dictator and narco-terrorist.”

Condolences on the loss of your comrade.

Back here in reality, Venezuelans are celebrating the fall of a brutal dictator and narco-terrorist.

Kathy Hochul has bent the knee to a Mayor who stands with America’s enemies.

Only @NassauExec will stand up to Mamdani. https://t.co/v10gAT5dsP

— New York GOP (@NewYorkGOP) January 3, 2026

Maduro’s capture has prompted celebrations among Venezuelan communities worldwide, while Mamdani’s response has intensified scrutiny of his early tenure as mayor and his approach to foreign policy and national security issues affecting the city.

Meanwhile…

VENEZUELA: Large crowds of Venezuelans gathered outside the Manhattan federal courthouse to celebrate Nicolás Maduro’s arrest, after NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended the dictator and demanded his release. pic.twitter.com/4cZwI08yGY

— @amuse (@amuse) January 3, 2026