Nicolas Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, is set to appear at a New York court on Wednesday for his third public hearing in the United States. The U.S. government seized Maduro during a nighttime operation in January.
In a court document filed late Tuesday, both sides recommended a trial be scheduled for June 2027. Judge Alvin Hellerstein may confirm this date during the hearing. Outside the courthouse, demonstrators held signs in support of Maduro and his wife.
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores remain in a Brooklyn detention facility. They have not requested bail. They face charges including drug trafficking and firearms offenses. A conviction could lead to life imprisonment.
Maduro has stated he is not guilty and claims to be the constitutional president of Venezuela. The Trump administration characterized his capture as a 'surgical law enforcement operation.' Maduro, however, calls himself a 'prisoner of war,' claiming he was kidnapped.
Prosecutors claim Maduro conspired to smuggle thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S. by working with local officials. His lawyer, Barry Pollack, is expected to challenge the legality of his 'military abduction.'
The defense is reportedly preparing complex legal arguments that must be addressed before the trial. The case, according to Euronews, has been under investigation for six years.