politics
March 26, 2026
Nicolas Maduro and wife head back to court for first time since arrest
Ousted Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are set to appear Thursday in a Manhattan federal courtroom for the first time since their January arrest, as their legal team pushes to have sweeping drug trafficking charges dismissed.
TL;DR
- Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores are in a Manhattan federal court for their first appearance since their January arrest.
- Their legal team is seeking to dismiss drug trafficking charges.
- A key dispute is whether U.S. sanctions prevent the couple from accessing funds for their defense.
- Prosecutors argue Maduro and Flores can use personal funds but not those linked to sanctioned Venezuelan entities.
- Federal prosecutors are also requesting a protective order to limit evidence sharing with four co-defendants at large, citing concerns about witness safety and case integrity.
- Protesters gathered outside the courthouse, both for and against the former Venezuelan leader.
- Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to charges including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking and remain detained.
- The indictment alleges years of collaboration with drug trafficking organizations and corrupt officials to move cocaine into the U.S.
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