New York, March 27, 2026 – Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared Thursday in a federal court in New York, marking his second hearing since being captured by U.S. forces in an extraordinary nighttime raid earlier this year.
Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been held in a Brooklyn jail for nearly three months following their seizure from a compound in Caracas by American commandos in early January.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Maduro’s legal team sought to dismiss the charges against him and requested permission to use Venezuelan government funds currently frozen under U.S. sanctions to cover his defense. The judge rejected the request, keeping the case on track.
The charges stem from allegations of narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and related crimes, all of which Maduro denies. U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that further charges may be filed as the investigation progresses.
The case has drawn international attention due to the unprecedented nature of a foreign leader being captured by U.S. forces and tried in American courts, raising questions about legality, international relations, and precedent.
It was noted that the trial will not only test the U.S. judicial system but may also have far-reaching implications for Venezuela and global diplomacy.
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