Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived Saturday evening at a military base in the United States and was transferred to New York City, after his capture by US forces in Caracas.

FBI agents surrounded Maduro as he descended from a US government plane and slowly escorted him along the tarmac at a National Guard facility in New York state.

The leftist leader was then flown by helicopter to Manhattan, where a large law enforcement contingent awaited, AFP images showed.

The 63-year-old leader was to be taken first to the offices of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, then to the Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal facility in Brooklyn, according to US media.

The detention center is the same jail where rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs was held throughout his trial last year.

Maduro and his wife are to be arraigned at an unspecified date before a judge in New York. They have been charged with "narco-terrorism," importing tons of cocaine into the United States, and possession of illegal weapons.

Australia and New Zealand said Sunday they supported international law and a democratic future in Venezuela after US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro.

In separate statements, the two countries - both members of the "Five Eyes" intelligence sharing alliance with the United States, Britain and Canada - said they were watching developments.

"We urge all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy in order to secure regional stability and prevent escalation," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.

"We continue to support international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people."

Australia had long-standing concerns about Venezuela's respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, Albanese said.

New Zealand said it was worried about the situation.

"New Zealand is concerned by and actively monitoring developments in Venezuela and expects all parties to act in accordance with international law," Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.

"New Zealand stands with the Venezuelan people in their pursuit of a fair, democratic and prosperous future," he said in a statement.

- AFP

There is one New Zealander registered with SafeTravel as currently being in Venezuela.

MFAT continue to advise that New Zealanders do not travel to Venezuela.

New Zealanders currently in Venezuela are advised to follow the advice of local authorities and monitor the media for developments. 

New Zealanders requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the 24/7 consular emergency line on+64 99 20 20 20.

Robert Patman, Professor of International Relations at the University Otago, said "American forces could face great resistance if they do try to step up their military presence in Venezuela", because "many Venezuelans may be quite glad to see Mr. Maduro leave office, but they may not be thankful for the United States for what they see as blatant interference in their domestic affairs".

The International Relations expert also said that the move by the US "sets a grave precedent in many respects that it seems to be at variance with international law, it's at variance with US domestic law". 

"What's more, it seems to boost those forces internationally which have shown little respect for international law," he added.

"The United States is not in a position to lecture the likes of Russia and China about failing to uphold international law when they in fact are failing to do so in their own region, the Western Hemisphere," the professor added.

"This is not just a regretful matter or an unfortunate development in terms of international law, it has real world consequences, negative consequences for international security, both regionally in the Western Hemisphere, but also globally."

"I think [New Zealand’s response] should be very robust," he continued.

"This country's national interest depends on maintaining the rule of law internationally. We trade with more than 100 countries around the world, and the rules are there for the weak, not for the strong.

"It's all very well for Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin, and Xi Jinping to want an international free-for-all where the strongest take what they want and the weakest have to accept the crumbs left on the table, but that's not a world that most New Zealanders, whether they be on the right, middle, or the left, want."

Patman added that most countries, including New Zealand, want to see "the rule of law strengthened, not weakened".

"I think when the government gets a chance to think it through, it will have to react quite vigorously. It has to defend its interests. A softly, softly approach towards the Trump administration has not worked. The Trump administration has imposed 15% tariffs against this country, which is a travesty given the fact that American products coming into New Zealand face little or no tariffs."

A plane believed to be carrying Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores has reportedly landed near Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, US media reports.

A late morning recap of the events currently unfolding, courtesy of the AFP news agency:

After months of threats and pressure tactics, the United States on Saturday bombed Venezuela and toppled authoritarian left-wing leader Nicolas Maduro, who was seized to face trial in New York.

Here's what we know so far:

How did it start? 

The first explosions were heard in the capital Caracas and surrounding areas shortly before 2:00 am (0600 GMT), AFP reporters said.

They continued until around 3:15 am.

Images shared on social media showed helicopters silhouetted against the night sky and missiles slamming into targets, creating fireballs and huge plumes of smoke.

Trump said at 0921 GMT on his Truth Social platform that the United States had "successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela" and that Maduro and his wife had been "captured and flown out of the Country."

Top US General Dan Caine said the goal of "Operation Absolute Resolve" was purely to seize Maduro, with airstrikes by jets clearing the way for helicopters used in the capture raid.

Caine said the operation followed months of preparation and training.

More than 150 aircraft were mobilized.

What was hit?

Fort Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, situated in southern Caracas, was among the targets.

The vast base is home to the defense ministry, a military academy and housing units for thousands of troops and their families.

AFP reporters saw flames and huge plumes of smoke rising from the complex.

At one of the entrances, which was still guarded, AFP reporters saw an armoured vehicle and truck pocked with bullet marks.

There was no word yet on casualties.

La Carlota airbase east of Caracas was also targeted.

AFP reporters saw an armoured vehicle at the base in flames and a burnt-out bus.

Explosions were also reported in La Guaira, north of Caracas, home to a port and an international airport; the north-central city of Maracay; and Higuerote on the Caribbean coast -- all within 100 kilometres (60 miles) of Caracas.

Are there casualties? 

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez accused US forces of firing missiles and rockets at residential areas.

It was not possible to immediately confirm that.

Hours after the attacks, the authorities had yet to release casualty figures.

Trump, speaking on Fox News, boasted that no US soldiers had been killed in the operation. He told the New York Post that "many Cubans" who were protecting Maduro "lost their lives," the first indication of casualties from the US strikes in Venezuela.

What has become of Maduro? 

The operation brought the curtain down on 12 years of increasingly authoritarian rule by Maduro, who had a $50 million US bounty on his head for alleged drug trafficking.

Trump posted a picture on his Truth Social account of the Venezuelan handcuffed and blindfolded aboard a US naval ship in the Caribbean.

From there he and his wife Cilia Flores were to be sent to New York to be tried on drugs and terrorism charges.

Trump said Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, was ready to do Washington's bidding, but speaking live on Venezuelan TV Rodriguez defiantly proclaimed Maduro as her country's "only president."

What next for Venezuela? 

Trump stunned US allies and foes alike by saying that the United States would "run" Venezuela during an undetermined transitional period.

He indicated that could involve deploying US troops on the ground.

Venezuelan opposition leader, Nobel peace laureate Maria Corina Machado, took to social media to proclaim her country's "hour of freedom has arrived."

Machado, seen as a hero by many Venezuelans for her dogged resistance to Maduro, called for the opposition's candidate in the 2024 election, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, to "immediately" assume the presidency.

Trump brushed aside any expectations Machado herself would emerge as leader, claiming she did not have "support or respect" in Venezuela.

- AFP

“I watched it literally like I was watching a television show,” Donald Trump said on Fox News, adding that “it was an amazing thing”.