De Blasio Backs Mamdani for Upholding Constitution After U.S. Capture of Maduro

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has publicly defended Zohran Mamdani after the two differed with President Donald Trump over the U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Mamdani sharply criticized the U.S. strikes that culminated in Maduro's capture, even as many Venezuelans at home and abroad expressed relief or celebration. At a Saturday press conference, Mamdani said he contacted the president directly to register his opposition.

"I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act," Mamdani said. He added he was "opposed to a pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal and international law."

Speaking to The Hill on NewsNation, de Blasio praised Mamdani for defending constitutional constraints on the executive branch.

"I think Mamdani is standing up for the United States Constitution, which says you don’t go to war without the Congress approving," de Blasio said. "You just can’t do that without the Congress weighing in first, because it has created a situation of war with another country."

Mamdani also posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling the unilateral strikes an "act of war" and asserting they violate both federal and international law. He warned the U.S. action has local consequences, noting it "directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home."

The developments come as Venezuela's acting president reportedly offered to "collaborate" with the United States, raising questions about the country's next political steps and the role of U.S. policy in the region.

Reporting by NewsNation. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.