Zohran Mamdani called Trump on Saturday to slam U.S. strikes in Venezuela and the capture of its president, calling them violations of international law.

At a Saturday press conference, the New York City mayor said he directly confronted Trump over what he called a “blatant pursuit of regime change” following the military seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

“I made it clear,” Mamdani said, “and we left it at that.”

National Democrats were largely silent. Mamdani made himself heard.

It was Mamdani’s first direct criticism of Trump since becoming mayor—and since a rare White House meeting between the two last year. The conflict sets up a stark split between the far-right president and one of the country’s most progressive elected leaders.

Trump’s militarism abroad mirrors his authoritarianism at home. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is among a growing bloc of leftist elected officials openly resisting that agenda.

Despite the fact that Maduro will now face trial in Manhattan federal court, Mamdani made clear that his priority was New Yorkers—especially the Venezuelan community. 

“This doesn’t just affect those abroad,” he said. “It directly impacts tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home.”

The U.S. has a long history of destabilizing Latin American countries in the name of “freedom” while propping up right-wing coups. 

Trump’s latest move is no exception—and Democrats who label Maduro a “dictator” while staying silent on U.S. aggression only fuel the imperialist narrative.

Mamdani says his administration will issue guidance to protect vulnerable communities and minimize disruption to everyday life in the city.

In contrast to Trump’s fascist tendencies, Mamdani is using his platform to center human rights, sovereignty, and the well-being of everyday people—not regime change and corporate oil interests.