Maduro, Wife to Face US Drug Trial in June 2027

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are set to go on trial in the United States on drug trafficking charges, with a judge setting a start date of June 1, 2027. Maduro, 63, appeared in a Manhattan courtroom in beige prison garb, brought in by US marshals before US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein for a hearing in what is described as one of the most significant criminal cases in recent American history.

The couple was captured by US commandos during a military raid on their heavily guarded home in Caracas on January 3. They were subsequently brought to New York, where they were indicted on charges of using their positions to facilitate cocaine shipments. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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Mr Maduro should be immune from prosecution as the head of a sovereign state.

Defense attorney Barry Pollack stated his intention to seek dismissal of the case, arguing that Maduro should be immune from prosecution as the head of a sovereign state. Prosecutors from the Manhattan US Attorney's office and Maduro's defense lawyers jointly proposed the June 2027 trial start date in a court filing, though Judge Hellerstein has the final say on the schedule and both parties may request adjustments.

Maduro faces four felony counts, including conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism and cocaine importation. If convicted, he could face a life sentence. Before the trial, he is expected to file legal motions to challenge the indictment, with a hearing scheduled for November 17 to argue these points. During his first court appearance on January 5, Pollack suggested he might also challenge the legality of Maduro's capture. Maduro, who has had an antagonistic relationship with the U.S. since becoming president in 2013, referred to himself as a "prisoner of war" during his initial court appearance.

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I am a prisoner of war.