Mamdani says opposed US strikes on Venezuela, Maduro's capture on call with Trump
The NYC mayor accused the US president of violating international law, his first public criticism since their White House meeting
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he called President Donald Trump to object to US strikes carried out in Venezuela and the capture of its leader, Nicolas Maduro.
"I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act," Mamdani said at an unrelated news conference on Saturday, adding that he told Trump that he was "opposed to a pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal and international law."
The mayor declined to characterise the president's response when pressed by reporters, The New York Times reported.
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"I registered my opposition, I made it clear, and we left it at that," Mamdani said.
The remarks — along with an earlier written statement — marked the first time the left-leaning Democrat had publicly criticised Trump since taking office on Thursday.
The report noted that the comments raised the possibility of further friction in the days ahead, particularly as Maduro is expected to arrive in New York to face federal drug and weapons charges in Manhattan.
"The president and I have always been honest and direct with each other about places of disagreement," Mamdani said.
"New Yorkers have elected me to be honest and direct and always to do so with the understanding that my job is to deliver for the people who call this city home," he added.
Mamdani acknowledged that he is likely to have little influence over what happens to Maduro in federal custody, even if any potential trial takes place within New York City.
"It is my responsibility that whatever actions the federal government takes, they have a minimal impact on the day-to-day lives of New Yorkers," he said.
The New York Times also reported that while Mamdani has been an outspoken critic of US support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza, he had made few public comments on Venezuela or US policy in Latin America before Saturday.
It added that although both Mamdani and Maduro describe themselves as socialists, the policies pursued under Maduro differ sharply from those Mamdani has pledged to implement.
