Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday for his “narco-terrorism” case, following his capture by US military forces in January. His wife, Cilia Flores, who also faces charges, was present in court. Both have pleaded not guilty.
The hearing began with arguments over whether Maduro should be allowed to use Venezuelan government funds to pay for his defence. His legal team insists the US is violating his constitutional rights by blocking access to state money. Charging papers allege that Maduro spearheaded a “corrupt, illegitimate government” that protected drug trafficking and other illegal activity.
Maduro and Flores were captured on 3 January in a pre-dawn raid in Caracas that reportedly killed 100 people. Their arrest followed months of US pressure, including strikes on purported “narco-boats” which resulted in more than 100 deaths. Some legal experts have questioned the legality of these attacks, with some suggesting they could amount to war crimes.
Outside the court, rival demonstrations faced each other across metal barricades, with pro-Maduro supporters calling for his release and opponents singing Venezuela’s national anthem. In Caracas, a few hundred people gathered in a public plaza to pray for the couple and condemn the violation of national sovereignty. Meanwhile, Maduro’s son said his father was in high spirits and in “athletic” shape, despite experts describing conditions in the New York detention centre as dire.
Maduro’s political legacy is being dismantled by his successor, acting president Delcy Rodríguez, who has removed nearly half of his cabinet ministers, including key allies. Addressing a business summit in Miami, Rodríguez said Venezuela was poised for a “tremendous takeoff” under her leadership, while the US embassy in Caracas has reopened for the first time since 2019.
