ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - Jan. 5, 2025

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Tonight, the breaking news, the dramatic scene in federal court. Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Defiant. The world watching as Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, were brought to court together under heavy guard today, by helicopter and by armored vehicle. Once in court, Maduro, when asked to identify himself by the judge, saying, I am the president of Venezuela, Celia Flores referring to herself as first lady of the Republic of Venezuela.

What the judge then told them, with both clearly wanting to say more. Tonight both pleading not guilty and what Maduro called himself as he left the courtroom. Eric Gatursky live at the federal courthouse. Also tonight we have new reporting, new images of that daring U.S. military raid to capture and extract Nicolas Maduro and his wife. 200 US forces taking part, a dozen special operations

helicopters in the air, and what we've now learned tonight about the operation. And President Trump saying several American pilots were wounded, bleeding, but kept flying. And where the president says Maduro and his wife were captured, that they didn't have time to close the steel

door to their safe room. And tonight, Secretary Pete Hegseth revealing what Maduro's wife said as U.S. military helicopters were closing in. Martha Raddatz standing by with what she's learned. Tonight, President Trump has declared, we are in charge of Venezuela, saying the U.S. is in charge.

And at this hour, America's top general, Secretary Hegsett and Secretary Rubio, all briefing lawmakers about the US military operation in Venezuela. Some lawmakers demanding to know why Congress was not informed. And tonight, President Trump's new threat of possible military action involving Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and saying the US wants Greenland.

Inside Venezuela tonight, Maduro's son also indicted by the US now warning no country is safe James Longman on the Venezuelan border the American tourists stranded in the Caribbean the FAA shutting down airspace for a time because of the military operation tonight the ripple effect still being felt it could be days tonight in the US the sweeping changes from Secretary

Robert F Kennedy jr. the CDC now eliminating six vaccinations from the list of recommendations for children. So we'll go down the list tonight for the first time. One of those new weight loss drugs now available in pill form and the more affordable price tag and Black Monday in the NFL. The list of NFL coaches who've been fired tonight. From ABC News World Headquarters in New York, this is World News Tonight with David Muir. Good evening. It's great to be back with all of you at home in the new year. We do begin tonight with ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife,

Venezuela's First Lady Celia Flores, both arraigned in federal court here in New York City today. The couple determined to deliver their message as they face the judge 48 hours after their capture by American forces and their extraction to the U.S. Maduro and his wife under heavy guard today, driven from a detention center in Brooklyn to a waiting helicopter, flown over the East River to lower Manhattan Manhattan and then loaded into an armored vehicle taken to federal court. The couple standing before the judge pleading not guilty to charges of

narco-terrorism conspiracy along with cocaine and weapons charges. Maduro referring to himself as the President of Venezuela, his wife calling herself the First Lady of the Republic of Venezuela. In fact, Celia floors his defense attorney saying she was injured in the raid. And as Nicolas Maduro was being taken from court, he called himself a prisoner of war.

His defense attorney questioning the legality of his quote, military abduction. Our chief investigative correspondent, Aaron Kuterski, was in the courtroom and Aaron leads us off tonight.

A little more than 48 hours ago, Nicolas Maduro ruled a nation with 30 million people and the world's largest oil reserves. Tonight, the deposed Venezuelan dictator is a shackled criminal defendant, whisked from jail in Brooklyn,

flown across the East River by helicopter into lower Manhattan with his wife and co-defendant, Celia Flores, to face federal drug charges. Escorted under heavy guard to an armored vehicle for the short ride to federal court where canine dogs roamed the hall

and US Marshals inspected the courtroom chair where Maduro would sit. Nicolas Maduro's presence inside Manhattan Federal Court brought protesters here outside, some denouncing the US military action that captured him, others supporting what President Trump ordered.

Inside, Maduro greeted spectators in the courtroom saying, Buenos Dias. He put on headphones for Spanish translation and rose in his seat as the judge asked, are you Nicolas Maduro? I am the president of the Republic of Venezuela,

a defiant Maduro responded. I am here kidnapped. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela. The judge cut him off. Maduro's wife declared, I am the first lady of the Republic of Venezuela, before the judge interrupted her.

The purpose today is just to ask who you are. Prosecutors say Maduro and his wife

worked together to traffic cocaine. What the government is alleging is they literally were handing out passports to drug dealers, they were engaging in murder and kidnapping using the diplomacy, using the veil

of the Venezuelan government to pursue this drug conspiracy.

Asked how he pleaded to the charges, Maduro said, I am innocent, I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country. Flores then stated her plea, not guilty, completely innocent.

Maduro's wife appeared with a bruised and bandaged head. Her lawyer said she may have a fracture or severe bruising on her ribs. Maduro's attorney called the US raid a military abduction and said Maduro is the head of a sovereign state, immune from prosecution.

As Maduro was led from the courtroom, someone in the gallery stood and shouted in Spanish, You will pay in the name of Venezuela. Maduro stopped and turned to face the heckler, saying, I am the elected president. I am a prisoner of war. I will be free.

So let's get right to Aaron Kutersky, who was in the courtroom today. Aaron, as all of this was playing out in that New York City courtroom, Nicolas Maduro's son, also of course indicted here, was addressing the National Assembly back in Venezuela, saying, dad, you created a strong family, that the nation is in good hands while we await your return. But Aaron, it would appear that is unlikely to happen

anytime soon, if at all. If at all, David. It could be a long time before Maduro even stands trial. Here, as lawyers said today, David, this is going to be a complicated case and Maduro is going nowhere.

He didn't even ask for bail today and return to jail where he is tonight. It could be March before we see him again. That's when he's next due here in court. David. Aaron Kutersky reporting with me live on the air earlier today as this was playing out. Aaron, thank you. Tonight, our team with new reporting here at new images of the daring US military raid

to capture and extract Nicholas Maduro and his wife. President Trump saying several American pilots were wounded, bleeding, but kept flying. And where President Trump says Maduro and his wife were captured, that they didn't have time to close the steel door to their safe room.

And tonight, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on what Maduro's wife said as helicopters were closing in. Martha Raddatz in what she's learned tonight.

Tonight, dramatic new video of that dangerous mission to seize Maduro that injured US helicopter pilots. Explosions lighting up the hillside around Maduro's heavily fortified compound in Caracas as U.S. warplanes blasted Venezuelan air defenses early Saturday morning. U.S. forces knocking out power to parts of the city, allowing them to move in total darkness.

A dozen U.S. special operations helicopters flying just 100 feet above the ground, moving in over the compound, firing mini guns and rockets at multiple targets. You can see in the video what appears to be small arms return fire or an RPG streaking wildly through the sky. A US helicopter was struck during the operation. President Trump saying pilots were injured and bleeding but continued the mission.

Inside the compound the Army's elite Delta Force team moving in. They had built an exact replica of Maduro's compound and practiced the raid for months. A covert CIA team tracking Maduro's every move right down to what he ate. Secretary Pete Hegseth today saying Maduro and his wife unaware of what was happening until minutes before.

Nicholas Maduro got to meet some great Americans where a night vision goggles three nights ago. He didn't know they were coming until three minutes before they arrived. In fact, his wife said, I think I hear aircraft outside.

Those special operations forces coming under heavy gunfire by Maduro's security, grabbing Maduro and his wife as they headed for a safe room moments before they could close a steel door behind them.

The safe place is all steel. And he wasn't able to make it to the door because our guys were so fast.

Cuba saying 32 Cubans were killed before U.S. forces rushed Maduro and his wife into the helicopters, flying them out to a ship at sea. Some 200 U.S. forces took part in the operation, the extraction team on the ground only a short time with no U.S. lives lost. And David we have learned several of the U.S. wounded were taken to Brook Army Medical Center in Texas. None of their injuries life threatening but these dramatic images and the return fire aiming at the U.S. helicopters are a reminder of

just how risky this mission was.

David? David? Arthur Radice, remarkable reporting all weekend long. Thank you. Tonight, President Trump has declared we're in charge of Venezuela, that the U.S. is in charge.

And at this hour, while we're on the air here, America's top general, Secretary Hagseth and Secretary Rubio, all briefing lawmakers about the U.S. military operation in Venezuela. Some lawmakers demanding to know why Congress was not informed. And tonight, President Trump's new threat of possible military action involving Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and saying the U.S. wants Greenland. Rachel Scott at the White House tonight.

Tonight, the nation's top military official, who oversaw that extraordinary operation in Venezuela.

Sir, is the U.S. now occupying Venezuela?

Arriving on Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other top administration officials.

Are U.S. troops being deployed to Venezuela, yes or no?

President Trump is adamant the U.S. is in charge of the country, even as Venezuela swore in Nicolas Maduro's vice president, Delce Rodriguez, as interim leader.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States of America, Speaking Spanish to the camera

at the White House): We're dealing with the people. We're dealing with the people that

just got sworn in. And don't ask me who's in charge, because I will give you an answer,

and it will be very controversial. We're in charge. Have you spoken with her? We're in charge. But hours earlier, his own secretary of state attempted to dial back the role the U.S. will play in Venezuela, saying the administration is trying to influence policy with a blockade on oil leaving the country. With world leaders condemning the U.S., the president's signaling he could pursue military action beyond Venezuela, with 15,000 U.S. service members now in the region. Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it

to the United States, and he's not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you.

What does that mean? He's not going to be doing it very long?

He's not doing it very long. He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories. He's not going

to be doing it very well. So there will be an operation by the US and the world? It sounds good to me.

Colombia's president's indicating he's ready to take up arms. In addition to Colombia, President Trump says he could target Cuba and Mexico and make Greenland part of the United States. The Danish Prime Minister says with respect to Greenland,

if the US attacks a NATO ally, then everything stops. Tonight, the State Department posting this image of President Trump with the words, this is our hemisphere. And David, tonight, top lawmakers over on Capitol Hill are receiving their first classified briefing

about this military operation, many demanding to know why they were not informed ahead of time. But tonight, the president is insisting that operation was legal and that the US is not at war with Venezuela.

David. All right. Rachel Scott, late reporting from the White House. Rachel, thank you. Meantime, inside Venezuela tonight, Nicolas Maduro's vice president, Delce Rodriguez, now the interim president and Maduro's son, also indicted by the U.S. now warning, quote, that no country is safe. Our chief international correspondent, James Longman on the Venezuelan border tonight. As Nicolas Maduro insisted to a US courtroom, he is still Venezuela's president. Tonight, his son with the same defiant message from Caracas.

If we normalize the kidnapping of a head of state, he said, no country is safe, vowing Maduro and his wife will return to the country. He spoke in front of the National Assembly for this show of continuity, and was surrounded by those powerful lieutenants of Maduro's autocracy. Some of them, including his son,

are facing the same US narco-terrorism charges as Maduro. The White House says these same people will now work with America to govern the country, but how is still very unclear. Days after Maduro's capture, there is still no clarity about what is going to happen in Venezuela and that is why Colombia is beefing up security here at the border. They are concerned

about a security breakdown in Venezuela which could trigger a massive migration crisis. This border where thousands of Venezuelans cross every day for cheaper goods. Gabriela is hopeful her young son Josue can look forward to a different Venezuela. Do you think things are really going to change? Maduro is just one man. Hope is the last thing that you lose, she says. Angel is emotional talking about the state of his country. It hurts my soul, he

says. I haven't seen my children in years and I don't know if I ever will. And tonight, David, the Venezuelan government has renewed its national call for anyone it believes helped the US carry out that extraordinary raid. Outwardly, at least, this is not a change of government. David?

James Longman on the Venezuelan border. James, thank you. We turn now to the thousands of travellers, many of whom are American tourists tourists who remain stranded in the Caribbean tonight. Airlines trying to get back on track, adding flights to the Caribbean after hundreds of flights were canceled due to the U.S. military action in Venezuela. American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United and JetBlue are all adding flights and seats. Authorities still say it will likely take a few more days before everything is back to normal after the U.S. action in Venezuela. In the meantime, to the other news tonight, the sweeping change from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the CDC

tonight, eliminating six vaccinations from the list of long-standing recommendations for children.

Here's Rhiannon Alley now. Tonight, an unprecedented change in vaccine recommendations from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s federal health agency, the CDC announcing its further reducing the number of vaccines it previously recommended for children effective immediately from 17 to 11. That means the CDC will no longer recommend that every child get shots for rotavirus hepatitis A and B meningitis RSV and the flu.

The CDC now advising the rotavirus and flu vaccines should only be given to a child if a doctor recommends it the changes were made without an independent review. Secretary Kennedy who has long sought to reduce the number of vaccines children get writing this decision protects children respects families and rebuilds trust in public health.

This news is a fundamental shift in how the US approaches childhood immunizations. It's really driven by ideology and not about science or data.

The major change comes amid a massive surge in the flu. 45 states now reporting high or very high activity up from 30 a week ago. David medical experts stress the best advice is to talk to your child's doctor and parents

still have the ultimate choice about which vaccines to give their kids.

David? Rhiannon Alley tonight. Rhiannon, thank you. This evening, former vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, ending his bid for re-election. Instead, he says he'll focus on defending Minnesota from allegations of fraud linked

to Medicaid and childcare funds. Wall saying his administration is taking fast action to solve the crisis, adding, quote, the buck stops with me. Senator Amy Klobuchar is reportedly considering entering the race for governor. There's no word tonight from Klobuchar.

When we come back tonight, the brave rescue of two hikers, the mission to reach two women trapped on the edge of a cliff, and you'll see the images right here. Also tonight, for the first time, one of those popular weight loss drugs now available in pill form

and a much more affordable price tag in a moment. And then they call it Black Monday in the NFL, the list of NFL coaches who've already been fired tonight. We'll get on the list in a moment. Tonight, the daring rescue of two women trapped on the edge of a steep cliff in California.

The hikers stuck on the seaside cliff just north of San Francisco. A paramedic helped move the women to a safer location on the rocks and then on to that rescue helicopter. Now to those popular weight loss drugs tonight. For the first time, a GLP-1 medication is now available in pill form. Novo Nordisk introducing its Wigovi pill.

The company says the daily prescription pill is to be taken 30 minutes before any other medicine, food or coffee. Some patients could see a copay of $25 per month. Without insurance, some could get the drug for $149 a month. When we come back here tonight, Black Monday, they call it for a reason. The NFL head coaches who've already been fired tonight. To the index, well they call it Black Monday in the NFL for a reason. Four NFL head coaches already fired tonight

Kevin Stefanski and the Falcons dropping Raheem Morris and more could follow

When we come back here tonight one extraordinary New Year's surprise and we sure needed this tonight

Finally tonight here the knock at the door and then another and then another

Tonight here the family kicking off the new year with an incredible surprise for their grandfather. Grandpa David, Papa, just turned 92. It's been bittersweet, the family just lost their grandmother, Grandma Sally. Nana and Papa, married just shy of 69 years,

look at this, from their honeymoon in 1956. So for Papa's birthday, they had an idea. His granddaughter Emily was coming over for dinner, but he had no idea.

Son of a gun.

His granddaughter Julie surprising him. She was coming too. And then another knock, Papa opening the door again.

Delivery.

Oh my god.

His granddaughter Carly surprising him with the pizza. Watch the door again. His granddaughter Carly surprising him with the pizza watch the door. His granddaughter Marley walking in next. The door again. His grandson been. Finally last but not least, his grandson Jake. Oh my God! All six grandchildren, one after the other, surprising their papa.

And right here tonight...

Hi David.

Hi David.

The grandchildren.

We couldn't imagine a more perfect way of bringing in the new year by celebrating our papa.

My papa is one of the greatest people you will ever meet.

To know our papa is to love him unconditionally.

Our papa is one of the kindest and purest souls on earth.

He's the warmest and funniest person I've ever known.

Papa, we love you so much.

Papa, feeling in love tonight. We sure needed this.

Good night.

David Muir, the most watched newscast in America. David Muir, the most watched newscast in America.

And now, ABC's World News Tonight has won the Emmy for Best Live News Program for the third year in a row.