Maduro transferred to court to stand trial before U.S. Judiciary

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was flown in handcuffs to the federal courthouse in Manhattan today ahead of his trial on charges related to drug trafficking, two days after his arrest in Caracas following a U.S. military operation.

Maduro, 63, appeared in handcuffs accompanied by a number of armed security personnel. He was transported by helicopter to New York, where he was transferred into an armored vehicle.

Maduro faces accusations of providing support to major drug-trafficking groups. Prosecutors say he managed cocaine smuggling routes, exploited the military to protect shipments, harbored violent trafficking organizations, and used presidential facilities to transport narcotics.

The charges, first filed against him in 2020, were updated on Saturday to include his wife, Cilia Flores, who is accused of issuing orders for kidnapping and killings. Maduro denies any wrongdoing, and the trial process may take several months to begin.

After months of U.S. strikes on boats accused of transporting drugs near Venezuela, Washington carried out a large-scale military operation in the country on Saturday, during which Nicolás Maduro (63) and his wife Cilia Flores (69) were apprehended.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States would “administer” Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Saturday appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, a move that was recognized by the military on Sunday.

ANHA