The ousted Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, who was captured on Saturday during a high-profile U.S. military operation in Caracas, is set to appear before a federal judge in New York this Monday, January 5, the Southern District of New York announced Sunday.
Maduro, who arrived in the United States Saturday evening after his arrest, will face formal charges, including “narcoterrorism” and cocaine importation into the United States, according to American authorities.
His wife, Cilia Flores, who was arrested alongside him, is also expected to appear before the same federal court. Both face indictments for drug trafficking, collaboration with designated terrorist organizations, and other charges related to bringing narcotics into the United States.
This appearance comes just two days after the U.S. operation in Venezuela, ordered by President Donald Trump, who claimed responsibility for capturing the fugitive Venezuelan leaders.
The situation has triggered widespread international reactions and domestic divisions. In New York, protesters gathered Sunday outside the detention center where Maduro is held, denouncing the U.S. intervention as a violation of international law.
In Caracas, executive power has been temporarily assigned to Delcy Rodríguez, recognized as interim president by the Venezuelan Supreme Court and the military, while calls for cooperation or resistance have emerged among Venezuelan political actors.
This Monday appearance before U.S. authorities marks a significant turning point in the Venezuelan crisis, with major implications for regional diplomacy and international relations.
