Venezuela's ousted president Nicolas Maduro is scheduled to appear before a New York court on Wednesday for a procedural hearing. This marks his third public court appearance since his capture by US military forces in a nighttime raid on January 3. Maduro, 63, and his wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail since the operation, awaiting trial on charges including drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
Background of the Capture
The capture of Maduro and Flores involved a coordinated effort by American naval, air, and ground forces. The operation led to the deposal of Maduro, who had governed Venezuela since 2013. The couple has pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, with Maduro declaring himself a 'prisoner of war'.
Legal Proceedings and Trial Date
In a recent court filing, both prosecutors and defense lawyers proposed a trial date of June 2027, which Judge Alvin Hellerstein may confirm during Wednesday's hearing. The United States recently allowed Venezuela to fund Maduro's and Flores's legal defense, reversing a previous stance under US sanctions. The couple had sought to have their cases dismissed, arguing that blocking the funding violated their constitutional right to counsel.