U.S. Court Schedules Trial for Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

A New York court has scheduled the trial of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, for June 1, 2027, following their capture by U.S. forces.

Key points

• Maduro and Flores face federal charges including 'drogenterrorism' and cocaine smuggling.
• Judge Alvin Hellerstran set the trial date following requests from the prosecution and defense.
• The defendants have denied the allegations and remain in detention at a facility in Brooklyn.
• Maduro was removed from Caracas earlier in the year during a military operation initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Why it matters

The scheduling of the trial marks a major milestone in the high-profile federal prosecution stemming from the unprecedented U.S. military apprehension of a foreign head of state.