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Venezuela’s ousted president, Nicolas Maduro, is scheduled to appear before a federal court in New York on Wednesday in the latest hearing of the criminal case against him following his capture by United States forces earlier this year.
Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, have remained in custody at a detention facility in Brooklyn since they were seized during a US military operation in Caracas on January 3. Both are facing prosecution over allegations including drug trafficking and firearms-related offences.
Wednesday’s court session is expected to focus primarily on procedural issues as preparations for the trial continue.
The former Venezuelan leader has pleaded not guilty to four charges, including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
In April, the United States authorised Venezuela to finance the legal defence of Maduro and Flores after initially prohibiting such payments under existing sanctions. The couple had argued that preventing them from funding their preferred legal representation violated their constitutional right to counsel.
Maduro has described himself as a “prisoner of war”, maintaining that the charges against him are politically motivated.
Following his removal from office, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership of Venezuela, while the United States took control of the country’s oil export proceeds, directing revenues into special accounts under Washington’s supervision.
Maduro had ruled Venezuela since 2013, succeeding late president Hugo Chávez, before his dramatic removal from power during the January military operation.
The court proceedings are expected to determine the next steps in one of the most closely watched international criminal cases involving a former head of state.
