Venezuela's former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are set to face trial in the United States after a federal judge scheduled the start of proceedings for June 1, 2027. The couple appeared in a US federal court more than six months after being captured during a US military operation. Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. The defense is expected to challenge the legality of their capture and argue claims related to immunity from prosecution.

The case has sparked strong reactions, with supporters of Maduro demanding his release while opponents accuse him of dictatorship and supporting criminal activities. Watch the latest updates on Maduro's US trial, Venezuela politics, international law, and global affairs.

US Court sets trial date for Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro and Wife | Drug Trafficking Case

Nicolas Maduro, on Monday (January 5) in a New York court, where he was produced along with his wife Cilia Flores, said, “I am the President of Venezuela. I consider myself a prisoner of war. I was captured at my home in Caracas. I am innocent. I am a decent man, and I am the President. I have the indictment in my hands for the first time. I prefer to read it personally.” Nicolas, along with his wife, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the US. Maduro also said that he would like to have a consular visit.&nbsp;Notably, the judge has ordered Nicolas Maduro to appear in court on March 17 for the hearing. Maduro's attorney, Barry Joel Pollack, said that there are issues with the legality of abduction. There are some medical issues with Maduro. Flores was injured, and there were bruises on her ribs. He went on to say that Maduro is not seeking bail, without prejudice to applying later.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-moves-to-reduce-senator-mark-kelly-s-military-rank-and-pension-over-seditious-remarks-1767631814527">Pentagon moves to reduce Senator Mark Kelly’s military rank and pension over ‘seditious’ remarks</a><h2>Who is Nicolas Maduro's legal representative, Barry Pollack?</h2>Pollack, a seasoned trial attorney based in Washington, has been a key figure in Julian Assange's legal battles since 2012, when the WikiLeaks founder took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. He has stood by Assange throughout significant events, including the publication of Democratic Party emails during the 2016 US presidential election, the formal charges brought against Assange during Donald Trump's first term, revealed in 2018, and his eventual arrest in 2019. After spending seven years in a British jail, Assange was later released.&nbsp;With over 30 years of experience defending individuals accused of high-profile financial and white-collar crimes, Pollack's career includes notable cases such as representing Michael W Krautz, a former Enron accountant, following the company's dramatic collapse. The Enron scandal was one of the most intricate white-collar crime investigations in FBI history. While 22 individuals were convicted in the case, Krautz was among the few to be acquitted after a lengthy month-long trial.

'I AM INNOCENT. I CONSIDER MYSELF A PRISONER OF WAR: Nicolas Maduro tells court

Nicolas Maduro, on Monday (January 5) in a New York court, where he was produced along with his wife Cilia Flores, said, “I am the President of Venezuela. I consider myself a prisoner of war. I was captured at my home in Caracas. I am innocent. I am a decent man, and I am the President. I have the indictment in my hands for the first time. I prefer to read it personally.” Nicolas, along with his wife, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the US. Maduro also said that he would like to have a consular visit. Notably, the judge has ordered Nicolas Maduro to appear in court on March 17 for the hearing. Maduro's attorney, Barry Joel Pollack, said that there are issues with the legality of abduction. There are some medical issues with Maduro. Flores was injured, and there were bruises on her ribs. He went on to say that Maduro is not seeking bail, without prejudice to applying later. Also Read: Pentagon moves to reduce Senator Mark Kelly’s military rank and pension over ‘seditious’ remarks Who is Nicolas Maduro's legal representative, Barry Pollack? Pollack, a seasoned trial attorney based in Washington, has been a key figure in Julian Assange's legal battles since 2012, when the WikiLeaks founder took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. He has stood by Assange throughout significant events, including the publication of Democratic Party emails during the 2016 US presidential election, the formal charges brought against Assange during Donald Trump's first term, revealed in 2018, and his eventual arrest in 2019. After spending seven years in a British jail, Assange was later released. With over 30 years of experience defending individuals accused of high-profile financial and white-collar crimes, Pollack's career includes notable cases such as representing Michael W Krautz, a former Enron accountant, following the company's dramatic collapse. The Enron scandal was one of the most intricate white-collar crime investigations in FBI history. While 22 individuals were convicted in the case, Krautz was among the few to be acquitted after a lengthy month-long trial.

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to US narco-terrorism case. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to US charges

Cilia Flores, the wife of Venezuela's captured president, Nicolas Maduro, has been charged by US prosecutors with accepting bribes to facilitate drug trafficking and manipulate the anti-drug office of the country. She is also accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2007 to arrange a meeting between a major drug trafficker and the director of Venezuela's National Anti-Drug Office, Nestor Reverol Torres.&nbsp;The trafficker later agreed to pay monthly bribes to the director, along with around $100,000 for each flight carrying cocaine to ensure safe transit. Investigators allege that a portion of these payments was channelled to Flores. Reverol Torres was subsequently charged with narcotics offences in New York in 2015 and remains at large.&nbsp;The case also draws attention to alleged drug links involving Flores’s family. In 2015, confidential US recordings captured her nephews discussing plans to move “multi-hundred-kilogram” cocaine shipments from Maduro’s presidential hangar.&nbsp;During those conversations, they reportedly said they were “at war” with the United States. The nephews were convicted in 2017 and sentenced to 18 years in prison for conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine into the US, though they were freed in 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange involving seven Americans.&nbsp;Maduro has been charged along with his wife, son and three others. The indictment includes allegations of narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons.<h3>Who is Cilia Flores?</h3>Cilia Flores, a lawyer from a humble background, rose through former president Hugo Chávez’s socialist movement in the 1990s to become a prominent lawmaker. She and Maduro, partners since the late 1990s and married in 2013, played a central role in strengthening Maduro’s hold on power.&nbsp;Flores maintained immense behind-the-scenes authority even after leaving a formal government position in 2013. She is now being alleged by the US prosecutors that, along with her husband and son, Flores has misused her political power to facilitate drug trafficking.

Cilia Flores, a lawyer from a humble background, rose through former president Hugo Chávez’s socialist movement in the 1990s to become a prominent lawmaker. She and Maduro, partners since the late 1990s and married in 2013, played a central role in strengthening Maduro’s hold on power.

Cilia Flores, the wife of Venezuela's captured president, Nicolas Maduro, has been charged by US prosecutors with accepting bribes to facilitate drug trafficking and manipulate the anti-drug office of the country. She is also accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2007 to arrange a meeting between a major drug trafficker and the director of Venezuela's National Anti-Drug Office, Nestor Reverol Torres. The trafficker later agreed to pay monthly bribes to the director, along with around $100,000 for each flight carrying cocaine to ensure safe transit. Investigators allege that a portion of these payments was channelled to Flores. Reverol Torres was subsequently charged with narcotics offences in New York in 2015 and remains at large. The case also draws attention to alleged drug links involving Flores’s family. In 2015, confidential US recordings captured her nephews discussing plans to move “multi-hundred-kilogram” cocaine shipments from Maduro’s presidential hangar. During those conversations, they reportedly said they were “at war” with the United States. The nephews were convicted in 2017 and sentenced to 18 years in prison for conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine into the US, though they were freed in 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange involving seven Americans. Maduro has been charged along with his wife, son and three others. The indictment includes allegations of narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons. Who is Cilia Flores? Cilia Flores, a lawyer from a humble background, rose through former president Hugo Chávez’s socialist movement in the 1990s to become a prominent lawmaker. She and Maduro, partners since the late 1990s and married in 2013, played a central role in strengthening Maduro’s hold on power. Flores maintained immense behind-the-scenes authority even after leaving a formal government position in 2013. She is now being alleged by the US prosecutors that, along with her husband and son, Flores has misused her political power to facilitate drug trafficking.

Cilia Flores, a lawyer from a humble background, rose through former president Hugo Chávez’s socialist movement in the 1990s to become a prominent lawmaker. She and Maduro, partners since the late 1990s and married in 2013, played a central role in strengthening Maduro’s hold on power.

Bribes, cocaine flights & power: US charges President Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores over drug trafficking bribes

He and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown by helicopter to the federal facility and are due to appear in Manhattan federal court as soon as Monday, according to a Justice Department official.

He and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown by helicopter to the federal facility and are due to appear in Manhattan federal court as soon as Monday, according to a Justice Department official.

‘Nicolás Maduro jailed’: Why is the Brooklyn federal jail holding toppled Venezuelan leader considered a ‘hell hole’?

According to CNN, US forces captured Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a Caracas raid. The couple was dragged from their bedroom and is being transported to New York to face criminal charges.

According to CNN, US forces captured Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a Caracas raid. The couple was dragged from their bedroom and is being transported to New York to face criminal charges.

Venezuela President captured: US forces dragged Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from their bedroom during the operation

If you want, attack me, but don't go after my wife: Nicolas Maduro to US

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US Court sets trial date for Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro and Wife | Drug Trafficking Case

'I AM INNOCENT. I CONSIDER MYSELF A PRISONER OF WAR: Nicolas Maduro tells court

US charges President Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores over drug trafficking bribes

Why is the Brooklyn federal jail holding Nicolás Maduro considered ‘hell hole’?

US forces dragged Maduro and his wife from their bedroom during the operation

If you want, attack me, but don't go after my wife: Nicolas Maduro to US