NEW YORK (AP) — Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to make his initial appearance in an American courtroom on Monday, facing narco-terrorism charges levied by the Trump administration. This legal move comes as Maduro and his wife confront a contentious juridical battle over whether he will stand trial in the U.S. The couple is set to appear at noon before a judge, initiating a process that may lead to a protracted legal conflict.
Maduro and Cilia Flores will be transported from a Brooklyn detention facility to a Manhattan courthouse, located near where former President Donald Trump was convicted for falsifying business records in 2024. As a defendant in the U.S. legal system, Maduro is entitled to the same rights as any individual accused of a crime, which includes a jury trial composed of ordinary New Yorkers. However, he will also face unique legal challenges concerning his status as a former state leader.
Lawyers representing Maduro are expected to argue against the legality of his arrest, citing diplomatic immunity as a former head of state. Historically, similar defenses have been unsuccessful, such as the case of Panamanian ruler Manuel Noriega, who attempted to claim immunity after his capture by U.S. forces in 1990. The U.S. government does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, particularly following a disputed 2024 reelection.
The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, has demanded the return of Maduro. Historically, Maduro has denied any involvement in drug trafficking, but Rodríguez recently adopted a more conciliatory tone in social media, suggesting a willingness to collaborate with the U.S. and pursue "respectful relations."
Prior to his capture, Maduro and his government claimed that U.S. animosity was driven by a desire for access to Venezuela's rich oil and mineral resources. The U.S. executed a military operation to seize Maduro and his wife from their home on a military base. Trump indicated that the U.S. would temporarily "run" Venezuela, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the U.S. would not engage in day-to-day governance, apart from enforcing an existing "oil quarantine."
Trump has expressed ideas of extending American influence in the Western Hemisphere, targeting countries like Colombia, whose president, Gustavo Petro, he labeled as a "sick man" involved in cocaine trafficking. He further instructed Rodríguez to provide "total access" to Venezuela or face repercussions.
A recently revealed 25-page indictment accuses Maduro and several associates of collaborating with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S., with potential life sentences awaiting those convicted. It remains unclear whether Maduro has secured legal representation in the U.S.
Under U.S. sanctions for years, Maduro and his wife are prohibited from transacting business with Americans unless a license is obtained from the Treasury Department. The indictment suggests that Venezuelan officials coordinated with the Tren de Aragua gang to engage in criminal activities. However, a U.S. intelligence report from April indicated no evidence of direct collaboration between the gang and the Venezuelan government.
Maduro, his wife, and their son, who remains free, face charges alongside other high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including the current and former interior ministers, and alleged Tren de Aragua leader. The indictment details accusations of kidnappings, beatings, and murders linked to Maduro’s drug trafficking operations, which allegedly included the killing of a local drug boss in Caracas.
Furthermore, Maduro's wife is allegedly involved in accepting substantial bribes in 2007 to arrange meetings between a major drug trafficker and the Venezuelan National Anti-Drug Office director, resulting in ongoing illicit financial arrangements benefiting her.
