Venezuelan President Maduro to Face Arraignment in New York

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are set to face arraignment in federal court in New York City on Monday, following their capture in a U.S. military operation in Caracas. The couple faces charges related to narcoterrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal weapons possession.

Footage from authorities showed Maduro being transferred from a helicopter to an armored vehicle ahead of the court appearance. Flores, a senior official in Venezuela’s government, was also detained during the raid and is expected to appear alongside her husband.

Maduro faces four federal charges, including conspiracy to import cocaine, narco-terrorism, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Flores faces three similar charges. Federal prosecutors have accused Venezuelan leaders of using government positions to traffic cocaine into the United States over the past 25 years.

During the arraignment, the court will formally present the charges. The defendants may enter pleas, and the judge will determine the schedule for future proceedings. Legal experts note that bail is unlikely in this case.

Meanwhile, political allies of Maduro in Venezuela are calling for dialogue and cooperation with the United States, contesting claims that the U.S. would temporarily assume control of Venezuela’s government.